ASHENEWS reports that the federal government has halted mining activities in some parts of Shiroro local government area of Niger State.
This followed the killing of some miners by bandits at Unuguwan Mangoro village, in Shiroro.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake who confirmed that 12 miners were killed in the incident in Niger state said that all further exploration activities have been put on hold pending the completion of investigations by security agencies.
The Minister said the Mining Marshals are working with intelligence units and other security agencies to make the recent attack a special case of collaboration of all agencies to track the trail and pattern of operations of the bandits suspected to have infiltrated Shiroro local government from neighbouring states.
“There is a new Sheriff in town, and combatting banditry in the mining sector is a mandate we are taking seriously. Those who think they can invade villages, kill innocent people to make way for illegal mining of their rich minerals, will be shocked to discover that it is no longer business as usual. With the Mining Marshals working with the intelligence community, we shall fish out these hoodlums and put their hands to the fire.”
According to Alake, preliminary reports have identified non-Nigerians active in the mining businesses as funders of such operations.
He warned that anyone found will be prosecuted for economic sabotage and waging war against the Nigerian State.
He equally warned embassies in Nigeria to monitor the activities of their nationals in the mining sector as allegations of criminal conduct pose serious threats to the bilateral harmony between Nigeria and other countries in the world.
