In August 2023, the state governor, Mohammed Bago, issued a notice suspending all mining activities. However, illegal mining has continued with no consequences, raising serious doubts about the government's commitment to ensure enforcement.
Despite the recent collapse of mining sites in Niger State, where 50 people were trapped and three confirmed dead, it appears that the government's efforts to regulate illegal mining are woefully inadequate.
In August 2023, the state governor, Mohammed Bago, issued a notice suspending all mining activities. However, illegal mining has continued with no consequences, raising serious doubts about the government's commitment to ensure enforcement.
The State Ministry of Mineral Resources issued a statement claiming to have carried out an important mission to investigate and close illegal mining sites in Minna, the state capital.
However, SaharaReporters' on-the-ground assessment revealed that unauthorised mining activities are still taking place unchecked.
According to the ministry's press statement, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, its representatives visited various illegal mining sites in Minna and the operation led to the apprehension of a significant number of men, women, and even children.
However, when SaharaReporters visited some of the unauthorised mining sites, including the premises of the private university ‘El-Amin University,’ the Brighter Schools area, the T-Mama area along Mandela Road, Chanchaga Bridge, Pkagunku Bridge, Anguwan Kampany, and the Federal Government College Staff School, all within the state capital, it was discovered mining activities were still going on unchecked.
Furthermore, in recent years, Minna has witnessed a surge in violence carried out by minors and youths known as Yan-daba.
The illegal mining activities have fuelled a prolonged conflict between the youths of Kafintela and Maitumbi.
Yusuf Galadima, the Dagacin of the Maitumbi area, expressed deep concern about the increasing involvement of underage individuals in illegal mining.
He drew attention to the ongoing clashes at mining sites, which have led to the destruction of agricultural land and the disruption of children's education, as they are prevented from attending school.
Despite the community's persistent efforts to bring these issues to the attention of the authorities, the government has failed to take action, leading to a perpetuation of the cycle of unrest among young people.
Suleimain Umar Shaba, the Dagacin of the Kafintela area, acknowledged the negative impact of mining on children, leading to a higher number of out-of-school children.
Efforts to get Garba Sabo Yahaya, Niger State's Commissioner for Mineral Resources, to comment on the report were futile as he did not answer his calls.
As of the time of filing this report, he had not replied to a text message sent to his phone.