Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal, on Saturday, ordered security operatives to take stringent action against people caught carrying out illegal mining activities in the state.
Lawal, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, stated that over the years, illegal mining in Zamfara has fuelled banditry and other criminal activities.
According to the spokesperson, the governor said it is time to end the activity and implement measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of the people while adding that as such, security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot anyone found engaging in illegal mining.
The statement reads, “The directive is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Zamfara and deter potential wrongdoers from committing such acts.”
“It is also a swift action to enable the state government to be in total control of state resources and block activities that endanger the lives and properties of the people.
“Illegal mining is undeniably one of the driving forces behind the rampant banditry plaguing Zamfara state.
“We must take swift, decisive action to curb this menace and restore peace and security to our communities.”