Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal directed law enforcement to take severe measures against anybody who violated the state’s ban on illicit mining initiatives on Saturday.
In a statement, Sulaiman Idris, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant for Media and Publicity, revealed that illegal mining in Zamfara State has contributed to banditry and other criminal activities over time.
It’s time to put an end to the harmful activity and put policies in place to safeguard people’s safety and wellbeing, according to Governor Lawal.
He stressed that security operatives had been given strict orders to take bold action and shoot on sight anyone found engaging in illegal mining.
He said, “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.”