Security

Police raid Illegal mining sites in Zamfara, arrest foreigners linked to Banditry

Zamfara State continues to grapple with the deep connection between illegal mining and banditry, with security experts repeatedly drawing attention to how the two illegal activities fuel each other. 

Medical experts also warn of the severe health risks associated with illegal mining, referencing the tragic Bagega lead poisoning incident that claimed the lives of hundreds of children. The poisoning, which caused irreversible damage to many others, prompted the federal government to impose a ban on all mining activities in Zamfara, both legal and illegal since the year 2009.

Despite the ban, illegal miners, including both Nigerian nationals and foreigners, have continued to flock to the state’s mineral-rich sites. These illegal miners often collaborate with bandits, providing logistics and sometimes even arms in exchange for permission to extract mineral resources. 

This has led to the establishment of many illegal mining sites in the state, with Anka and Bukkuyum local government areas serving as hotspots. Notably, the recently killed bandit kingpin, Kachalla Halilu Sububu, controlled multiple illegal mining sites in these areas.

3 Nationals of Burkina Faso arrested in Zamfara for illegal mining

In a recent crackdown, security forces in Zamfara have intensified efforts to dismantle these operations. The Zamfara State Police Command recently raided illegal mining sites in Anka and Talata Mafara local government areas, arresting 29 individuals involved in illegal mining activities. Among those apprehended were six foreign nationals; three from Burkina Faso and three from Niger Republic. 

The arrests were announced by the Zamfara Commissioner of Police, CP Shehu Muhammad Dalijan, who also presented the evidence seized during the raids.

The items recovered included heavy-duty machinery such as an excavator, 18 bags of chemicals, two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, two magazines, several rounds of ammunition, charms, six motorcycles, shovels, and headlamps, among other materials used for illegal mining.

One of the arrested foreign nationals, Kwahoro Samaila from Burkina Faso, admitted to being involved in illegal mining. He confessed that he had entered Nigeria without a visa or permit and had been operating within the illegal mining trade for several years.

Dr. Idris Muhammad, a lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto and a researcher on terrorism in northern Nigeria at the University of Alabama, USA, highlighted the strong link between illegal mining and banditry. His research underscores how the mining activities help sustain criminal elements in the region.

With over 200 illegal mining sites spread across Zamfara State, many are located in areas such as Dan-Kamfani, Abare, and Bagega in Anka Local Government, and Kwale, Dabar Dan-Kunama, Kamaru, and Dabar Kuturu in Bukkuyum Local Government. Additional illegal mining hubs have been identified in Talata Mafara, Maru, Maradun, and Kaura Namoda, making it a widespread issue across the state. 

Efforts by the security forces to combat this growing threat continue, but with the economic allure of mineral resources and the presence of well-armed bandits, tackling the root causes remains a significant challenge for the authorities.

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