Niger Goes Hard On Use Of Women, Children For Illegal Mining

Following the involvement of women and children in illegal mining in Niger State, the state government has strengthened enforcement against such activities in the state.

LEADERSHIP findings revealed that the involvement of women and children in most of the illegal mining sites, especially around Chanchaga, Paiko, Munya, Shiroro and Rafi, has become worrisome to the authorities.

It was learnt that the discoveries that women and children engage in activities at night and sometimes very early in the morning to evade security scrutiny were more worrisome.

A resident and the chairman of the Butchers Association, Chanchaga, Mallam Garba, said, “Mostly women and children always come to the site between 5–6 p.m. and even at midnight”.

Consequently, Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources has stated that the ministry would continue to Crack Down on Illegal Mining Activities in Minna.

The commissioner, Alhaji Garba Sabo Yahaya, who said he had visited some of the illegal mining sites around Minna, warned all illegal miners to cease operations within Minna and its surroundings immediately.

He reiterated that Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has ordered a clampdown on all forms of illegal mining within the city.

He said, “anybody caught will face prosecution, to serve as a deterrent to others,” and therefore urged stakeholders in the community, especially youth, Village/District heads, and ward heads, to cooperate with the government by promptly reporting unauthorised mining.