Illegal Mining: Bauchi Gov Warns Traditional Rulers, LG Officials Against Illegal Land Allocation

Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has warned traditional rulers, community leaders and local government officials against illegal land allocation, harbouring suspicious individuals and facilitating unauthorised access to mining sites.

He threatened appropriate legal sanctions and possible removal from office for offenders.

Mohammed issued the warning yesterday while opening the Bauchi State Security Council Meeting, stressing the importance of traditional institutions in maintaining peace and security across the state.

He said effective governance could not be achieved without the cooperation of traditional rulers, describing them as the bedrock of grassroots community structures whose partnership was indispensable to sustaining peace.

The governor urged traditional institutions to strengthen early-warning mechanisms, gather credible local intelligence, and peacefully resolve land, family, and communal disputes before they escalate into violence.

He also called on community leaders to monitor seasonal migration and population movements to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating their communities.

Although Bauchi State remains relatively peaceful compared to some neighbouring states, Governor Mohammed warned that the government could not afford to become complacent in the face of evolving security threats.

“The contemporary security threats we face, ranging from banditry and kidnapping to cross-border criminal activities, illegal mining and malicious disinformation, are no longer isolated incidents.
They are highly mobile, adaptive and interconnected, driven by complex networks,” he said.

He added, “To defeat these threats, our approach must be equally dynamic, coordinated, firm and comprehensive.”

Governor Bala expressed the gratitude of the government and people of Bauchi State to security personnel for their dedication and sacrifices in protecting lives and property.

He said security agencies had recorded significant operational successes in dismantling criminal networks in Alkaleri, Ningi, Ganjuwa, Toro and other local government areas.

The Governor consequently directed security agencies to intensify coordinated ground operations and patrols to replicate the successes recorded in Alkaleri across other vulnerable communities in the state.

“We must deny criminals freedom of movement, flush them out and systematically dismantle their hideouts within our forest reserves and border communities,” he said.

He charged security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with fairness, neutrality and professional integrity, stressing that military and policing operations must remain impartial regardless of political, ethnic or tribal affiliations.

On illegal mining, Governor Bala Mohammed reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance, describing the activity as a potential source of funding and support for banditry and criminal syndicates.

He directed the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to deal decisively with individuals involved in illegal mining and those undermining the state’s economy through the practice.

“I have said it before, and I reiterate it today. No individual, regardless of status, influence or family ties to the government, will be spared if found complicit in such activities,” he warned.

The Governor also commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army High Command for approving the establishment of two new military battalions in Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa local government areas.

He praised the authorities for the prompt deployment of personnel and commencement of operations by the battalions.

Mohammed further appreciated the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council, Vice-Chancellor and management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) for permitting the temporary use of its facility in Tafawa Balewa town to accommodate the new battalion.

He also commended the military brigade for ensuring that the battalion in Alkaleri had commenced operations in Mansur.

The governor urged the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies to sustain effective leadership, coordination and guidance to ensure the efficient discharge of their responsibilities.

“We will not allow the greed or negligence of a few individuals to jeopardise the safety of millions of our people,” he assured.

He pledged that his administration would continue to provide the necessary logistics, basic communication equipment and tactical support to enable security formations to operate effectively.

Governor Bala also assured residents that every naira allocated to security interventions in the state, including funds received from the federal government, would be utilised transparently and strictly for its intended purpose.

Addressing residents, the Governor described security as a shared responsibility and urged them to reject political rumours, misinformation, and divisive narratives that can undermine public confidence and distract from efforts to tackle criminality.

He appealed to families and communities to support law enforcement agencies by providing credible, timely and actionable information to help prevent crime and protect lives and property.