Zamfara governor declares illegal mining illegal again, asks security to shoot violators on sight

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara issued a ban on illegal mining in the state on Saturday and ordered security agents to shoot violators of the order on sight.
The governor’s media aide, Suleiman Idris, quoted Mr Lawal as saying in Gusau that the order was part of measures to restore law and order.
Mr Lawal noted that illegal mining had fuelled banditry and other criminal activities in parts of Zamfara over the years.
“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,’’ Mr Idris quoted Mr Lawal as saying.
The governor ordered security agencies to take other stringent measures against those violating the order.
According to him, it is time to end the destructive activity and implement measures to protect the safety and well-being of the people.
“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,’’ the governor said.
Former Governors Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle previously banned illegal mining, saying it fuelled several cases of insecurity that ravaged Zamfara communities, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and properties.
In June 2019, Mr Matawalle constituted the anti-illegal mining committee to enforce the ban he announced in April of the same year. The committee’s inauguration also came months after President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime prohibited mining activities in Zamfara to curb insecurity.
However, despite the ban, the activities persisted in the North-Western state.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Politics
My ex-classmate Usman Oladipo ‘languishing’ as general manager in Nigerian mediocre bank: Shettima
Mr Shettima’s recent remark cements his reputation as a politician who lacks tact in communicating an opinion without denigrating others.

Agriculture
Enugu govt to create agro-industrial processing zones to bolster state livestock industry
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) would be established in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.

Sport
Africa Women Handball: Nigeria hit Angola 28-24 to claim third position
The Nigerian team, which aimed to play the final instead of the third place, lost the semi final against Egypt yesterday.

States
Gov. Idris seeks Kebbi residents’ patience over blackout
A fire incident on September 14 had destroyed two transformers, plunging Kebbi and Sokoto States as well as some parts of Zamfara into total darkness.

Politics
Katsina at 36: Assembly salutes Babangida for creating state
The state was created out of the former Kaduna State on September 23, 1987, by the then military administration of Babangida.

Health
UNGA 78: Nigeria, others approve declaration to end TB by 2030
The document lays out ambitious new targets for the next five years that include reaching 90 per cent of people with TB prevention and care services.