Governor Lawal Takes Drastic Measures to Curb Illegal Mining and Banditry in Zamfara State.
Gusau, Zamfara State – In a resolute move to restore law and order in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal issued a sweeping ban on illegal mining, accompanied by a stark directive: security agents are authorized to shoot violators of the order on sight. The governor’s decisive action comes as the state grapples with the enduring menace of banditry and criminal activities that have been fueled by illicit mining operations.
Mr. Lawal’s media aide, Suleiman Idris, quoted the governor as stating, “Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara. We must take swift and decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities.”
The connection between illegal mining and escalating insecurity in the state has been a growing concern. It is widely acknowledged that these illicit mining activities have provided financial sustenance to criminal elements operating in various parts of Zamfara.
Governor Lawal emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers. It is also a swift action to enable the government to be in total control of the state’s resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people.”
This decisive ban on illegal mining is not a new concept in Zamfara. Former Governors Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle had previously imposed similar bans due to their understanding of how this activity exacerbated insecurity, leading to the loss of thousands of lives and properties in Zamfara communities.
Governor Matawalle had even taken the significant step of constituting an anti-illegal mining committee in June 2019 to enforce the ban he announced in April of the same year. This move came months after President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration prohibited mining activities in Zamfara to address the escalating insecurity in the region.
However, despite these previous bans and measures, illegal mining activities have persisted in Zamfara, underscoring the gravity of the issue and the need for stringent action.
Governor Lawal’s resolute stance sends a clear message: Zamfara State is committed to ending the destructive cycle of illegal mining that has not only ravaged its communities but also threatened the lives and well-being of its citizens. As security forces stand poised to enforce this ban, the hope is that this bold step will pave the way for a more secure and prosperous Zamfara.
