Niger State Governor in North-Central Nigeria, Abubakar Sani Bello has ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities in Shiroro, Munya, and Rafi Local Government Areas of the State over continued insecurity until further notice.
A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, indicated that the decision to suspend mining activities become necessary as a result of escalating insecurity in those areas in recent times.
BANDITS ATTACKS: NIGER STATE GOVERNMENT ORDERS SUSPENSION OF MINING ACTIVITIES, DIRECTS SECURITY AGENCIES TO PROFILE MINING SITES IN AFFECTED LGAs pic.twitter.com/eN4UWfOcdR
— Governor Niger (@GovNiger) July 4, 2022
“It is observed that these mining sites now attract or even accommodate criminals with prospective threats to security of lives and property, the statement stressed,” added Matane .
The SSG warned that any mining operator caught engaging in mining activities in the areas mentioned would face the full wrath of the law.
He mentioned that the State Government has directed security agencies in the State to profile all mining sites in the affected Local Governments with a view to ascertaining their genuineness.
Matane assured the people of the State that Government would not scale down pressure on the armed bandits, cattle rustlers, and other criminal elements until they were flushed out of the state.
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