Bauchi Governor Orders Crackdown on Illegal Miners, Warns Powerful Individuals

(Governor Bala Mohammed. Photo by Bauchi State Government)
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has ordered the military and other security agencies to step up operations against illegal miners.

He gave the order on Thursday at a State Security Council meeting, where he called illegal mining a growing security threat linked to banditry and organised crime.

"No individual, regardless of their status, power or family ties to those in government, must be spared if found complicit," he said.

He praised security operatives for their recent results in Alkaleri, Ningi and Ganjuwa local government areas.

He told them to extend patrols to other vulnerable communities so criminals do not simply move to areas with less security.

The governor also warned traditional rulers, community leaders and local government officials not to illegally allocate land, shelter suspicious people or allow unauthorised access to mining sites.

Anyone found helping such activities could face legal action and lose their position.

"We will not allow the greed or negligence of a few to jeopardise the safety of millions," he said.

He thanked President Tinubu and the Nigerian Army High Command for approving two additional battalions for Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa.

He also thanked Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University for letting one of the battalions temporarily use its facility in Tafawa Balewa town.