Governor Dauda Lawal issued a ban on illegal mining activities and ordered law enforcement officials to take stringent measures against violators in a resolute move to combat banditry and criminal activities fueled by illegal mining in Zamfara State.
Illegal mining has long been associated with the escalation of insecurity in Zamfara, and Governor Lawal, through his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, emphasized the need to put an end to this destructive practice and safeguard the well-being of the state’s residents.
The Governor left no room for ambiguity in his directive, stating that security operatives have been instructed to take bold action, including the use of lethal force, to deal with anyone caught engaging in illegal mining.
He stated, “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts.”
Furthermore, Governor Lawal’s decision is aimed at enabling the state government to assert full control over its resources and halt activities that jeopardize the lives and property of its citizens.
He stressed that illegal mining has been a significant contributor to the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara State, and it is imperative to take swift and decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to the communities.
The urgency of this decision is underscored by recent events, including a bandit attack on Sabon Gida village in the Bungudu local government area of the state, during which numerous students of the Federal University Gusau were abducted.
While troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have successfully rescued some of the kidnapped victims, the situation has raised serious concerns about the safety of the state’s residents.
