A coalition of Nigerian security experts has issued a stark warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding urgent and decisive action to stop illegal mining activities in Zamfara State. The group emphasized that this illicit trade is directly fueling banditry and crippling national security efforts across northern Nigeria.
Experts Call for Review of Past Reports on Mining
The urgent appeal was made public on Sunday, December 20, in Jos, Plateau State, following a one-day retreat organized by the Arewa Patriotic Neighbourhood Watch (APNW). During a briefing with journalists, the experts specifically urged President Tinubu to revisit and implement findings from previous reports. These documents are said to implicate figures including former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, in matters related to illegal mining.
The group believes that acting on the recommendations within these reports could provide the current administration with a critical roadmap to significantly improve the security situation in Zamfara.
Illegal Gold: The Lifeblood of Banditry
Dr. Danlami Shehu, the Convener of the group, and Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed, its Assistant Secretary, presented a grim picture. They stated unequivocally that illegal mining operations have severely weakened the efforts of security agencies to combat banditry. According to their analysis, armed groups are often hired to protect these illegal mining sites, creating fortified zones that are difficult for the military to penetrate.
"As long as illegal mining in Zamfara State remains ongoing, the bandits will always have the upper hand," Dr. Shehu asserted. He identified illegal gold mining as a primary driver of the worsening insecurity, recalling that the Federal Government had acknowledged this link as far back as April 2019 when it announced a ban.
Despite past directives, including orders by the then Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for foreigners to leave mining sites, the activities have persisted under armed protection. Dr. Shehu cited reports indicating that proceeds from the illegally extracted gold are frequently used to purchase weapons, creating a vicious cycle of violence and resource theft.
Environmental and Health Catastrophe for Communities
Alhaji Yusuf Ahmed, a native of Zamfara, highlighted the devastating secondary impacts of illegal mining on local populations. He described a state "strangulated by its politics" and an economy distorted by massive illegal gold mining orchestrated by the political class, while violence plagues the people.
He pointed to the enduring trauma of the 2010 lead poisoning crisis, where unsafe mining practices led to the deaths of an estimated 400 children in villages across Anka, Bukkuyum, and Maru local government areas. This tragedy underscores the profound health, environmental, and economic damage inflicted upon host communities.
The experts' call adds to growing pressure on the administration to treat illegal mining not just as an economic or environmental issue, but as a fundamental national security threat requiring a coordinated and forceful response.
