The Yobe and Adamawa state governments have significantly enhanced security operations to combat violent crimes associated with illegal mining in rural communities. These measures aim to address allegations that the pursuit of solid minerals, particularly gold, has fueled banditry and insurgency in parts of the country.
Solid Mineral Deposits Attract Illegal Miners
An investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that Yobe State is endowed with over 27 solid minerals, including gold, limestone, gypsum, trona, diatomite, granite, and kaolin. Similarly, Adamawa State has more than 26 solid minerals in commercial deposits, such as gold, limestone, gypsum, trona, diatomite, granite, and kaolin.
Yobe Deploys Mining Marshals
Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni's special adviser on security matters, Dahiru Abdulsalam, a retired brigadier-general, told NAN that the state has deployed marshals in Gulani and Gujba local government areas to tackle illegal mining. The newly recruited mining marshals are drawn from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service (SSS).
“As time goes on, the state government is going to establish a full-fledged mining marshals backed up by the law as a security outfit of the state government. This will allow us to recruit more personnel, train and equip them to protect the mining areas, miners and the assets of their companies,” Mr Abdulsalam said. He stated that illegal mining breeds insecurity, immorality, illiteracy, and ecological problems.
Aji Bularafa, the state commissioner for wealth creation, empowerment, and employment generation, expressed concern over the influx of unregistered miners to the areas. The commissioner insisted that if the trend is not checked, bandits and terrorists could hijack mining activities and plunge the areas into serious security challenges. He advised stakeholders to cooperate with the government by ensuring that they register their companies with the state Mining Development Corporation.
Mohammed Bara, the commissioner for energy and transport, said registration offices would soon open in Shishiwaji and Damaturu, advising residents to trade only with registered miners. He also cautioned village heads against the indiscriminate sale of farmland to unregistered miners, warning that such acts could lead to clashes. Mr Bara appealed to stakeholders to exercise patience, noting that the new mining reforms aim to sanitise the sector for enhanced security and revenue generation.
Adamawa Bans Illegal Mining
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has banned illegal mining activities to curb banditry and communal conflicts linked to mineral resources. The Director of Geology in the state Ministry of Mineral Resources Development, Mathew Ayuba, said the ban is a proactive measure to curb banditry and communal conflicts. He cited recent disputes in communities such as Chobo and Lamurde as the reason for the government's decision to strengthen regulation.
Mr Ayuba said the government has also curtailed the activities of scavengers who often explore mineral-rich areas without authorisation. He added that the governor inaugurated the Mineral and Environmental Management Committee (MEMCO) to oversee mining activities and environmental compliance. According to him, Adamawa is endowed with various solid minerals, including monazite, copper, fluorite, lithium, gold, and sapphire. Mineral deposits are found in large quantities across the state's 21 local government areas, particularly in Song, Mubi, Maiha, Jada, Toungo, and Michika.
Mr Ayuba added that mining activities in parts of Madagali remain suspended due to security concerns stemming from insurgency. He attributed the state's rich mineral deposits to its location along the Cameroon Volcanic Line, which contributes to its geological significance. He said the state Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is collaborating with the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office to access mining records and verify locations before granting clearance to prospective operators.
According to him, while the federal government issues mining licences, the state government grants clearance and facilitates community consent for applicants. “The state does not issue mining licences. What we provide is clearance after verifying that the proposed site is free from disputes or conflicting claims. Applicants are also directed to relevant traditional institutions to obtain consent letters before proceeding with licence applications to the Federal Government,” he said.
Mr Ayuba said the process is designed to ensure peaceful coexistence between mining operators and host communities. He disclosed that the state has commercial-scale mining operations and that investors are operating mineral processing plants. (NAN)
