Insecurity: Northern Govs, Monarchs Seek Six-Month Mining Suspension

Northern governors and traditional rulers on Monday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months.

They blamed illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.

The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.

The meeting, chaired by the Governor of Gombe State and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.

The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.

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On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.

As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.

“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria.

“We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.

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