Artisanal Miners Stock-piling Explosives, Light Weapons

Niger State has uncovered some illegal artisanal Miners who stockpile explosives and possess light arms illegally, even as the government is set to recover them to mitigate the associated security challenges.
LEADERSHIP findings revealed that some artisanal miners in Niger state possess explosives like dynamites illegally, thereby worsening the security situation in the state

Just at the beginning of the week, dynamites exploded in the Sabon Pegi Mashegu local area of the state, claiming lives and destroying houses, vehicles and other valuables in the area.

It was learnt that the use of such explosives and possession of illegal arms is more prevalent in areas around Niger North with high deposits of Gold, lithium and Monazites.

LEADERSHIP investigation revealed that while the artisanal Miners used the dynamites to blow up the rocks for open cast mining, they also possessed firearms like AK 47 to protect themselves against Bandits
Consequently, state Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has directed that they surrender their explosives and other dangerous weapons to a Special Committee.

The Governor said the Committee was made up of Security agencies, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Traditional Institutions and other relevant stakeholders for safe storage instead of keeping them in their houses.

He acknowledged that the area has large deposits of gold and lithium in the State. It‘s characterised by artisanal mining, which results in insecurity in the area as the people have explosives and guns in their possession.

Meanwhile, the Governor visited the victims of the dynamite explosion at Sabon Pegi and donated the sum of N174 million to the victims.
He was accompanied by the Minister of Information, who led the federal government delegation, and the Senator representing Niger North Senator Abubakar Sani Bello.