Gov. Lawal bans illegal mining, orders shoot-on-sight against violators
Governor Dauda Lawal took decisive action on Saturday by issuing a ban on illegal mining activities in Zamfara State and directing law enforcement officials to take strict measures against those who violate the order.
Illegal mining in Zamfara has long been a catalyst for banditry and other criminal activities in the region.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal emphasized the urgent need to halt this destructive activity and implement measures to safeguard the safety and well-being of the state’s residents.
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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.”
In a related development, it was reported that bandits carried out an attack on Sabon Gida village in Bungudu local government area of the state in the early hours of Friday, resulting in the abduction of numerous students from Federal University Gusau.
Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have managed to rescue six of the kidnapped victims thus far.