A coalition of Nigerian security specialists has issued a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging immediate and decisive action to stop illegal mining operations in Zamfara State and other northern regions. They identify this illicit trade as a primary engine driving the persistent insecurity and banditry plaguing the area.
Illegal Mining: The Lifeline for Armed Groups
The call was made by members of the Arewa Patriotic Neighbourhood Watch (APNW) following a one-day security retreat held in Jos, Plateau State. The group highlighted that various investigative reports point to the involvement of highly placed individuals in Zamfara, whose activities they say warrant urgent scrutiny by authorities.
APNW Convener, Dr. Danlami Shehu, stated that illegal mining continuously undermines security operations designed to end banditry. He explained that the practice offers armed groups a reliable revenue stream. "Bandits often protect illegal mining sites, creating no-go areas for security forces and making it challenging to dismantle these criminal networks," Shehu said.
He pointed out that illegal gold mining has been repeatedly identified as a key factor sustaining violence in Zamfara and the broader North-West. "As long as these activities continue unchecked, banditry will remain resilient," he warned. Shehu referenced the Federal Government's ban on mining in Zamfara in April 2019, which was imposed after clear links between mining and violence were established. Despite past security crackdowns, he noted that enforcement lapses have allowed the problem to fester.
Environmental and Health Catastrophes from Unregulated Digging
Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed, the APNW Assistant Secretary from Zamfara State, detailed the devastating secondary impacts of illegal mining on local populations. He lamented that beyond fueling insecurity, unregulated excavation has led to severe environmental damage, public health emergencies, and significant economic losses for both the state and the nation.
Ahmed invoked the tragic memory of the 2010 lead poisoning crisis in parts of Zamfara, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, predominantly among children. This disaster was directly traced to unsafe artisanal mining methods. "Our communities are still bearing the consequences of years of illegal mining—ranging from health challenges to loss of livelihoods. This is why decisive government action is needed," he stressed.
A Blueprint for Action and Peace
The security experts presented a clear set of recommendations for the Tinubu administration. They called for a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the crisis:
- Strengthen enforcement of existing mining regulations and laws.
- Enhance intelligence-led operations specifically targeting mining zones.
- Foster greater collaboration between security agencies and host communities to improve monitoring and reporting.
The group expressed strong belief that a renewed, focused effort to curb illegal mining would drastically reduce bandit activities and pave the way for lasting peace in Zamfara State and across the North-West region.
