Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria has issued a ban on illegal mining activities in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that Governor Lawal further ordered law enforcement officials to take stringent action against violators.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Idris, who disclosed this in a statement, said illegal mining in the State has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities over the years.
Lawal noted that it was time to end the destructive activity and implement measures to protect the safety and well-being of the people.
The Governor stressed that security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot on sight anyone found engaging in illegal mining.
Lawal said, “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts.
“It is also a swift action to enable the State Government to be in total control of state resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people.
“Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara State. We must take swift, decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities.”
