Zamfara To Reclaim Gold Fields, Inaugurates Anti-Illegal Mining Committee

The Zamfara State government has taken further step to reclaim its gold fields from illegal miners and criminal elements with the inauguration of a 13-man anti-illegal mining committee.

The committee was inaugurated on Friday in Gusau, the state capital by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada.

The move is part of the state government’s renewed effort to support the federal government in formalising the mining sector, restoring order in mining communities, and cutting off the funding source for banditry and terrorism in the state.

The committee is headed by the commissioner for environment, Hon. Abdulrahman Tumbido. It draws membership from security agencies, traditional institutions and relevant federal and state government agencies — a structure the government says would ensure coordination, intelligence sharing and effective enforcement across all mining areas.

Inaugurating the committee, Nakwada charged members to work closely with security agencies, regulatory bodies and local authorities to identify locations where illegal mining is taking place and profile the operators.

He said the committee must also ensure that even licensed companies comply with relevant laws and regulations, take adequate measures to prevent environmental degradation, and safeguard the safety and rights of host communities.

“The initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to assist the federal government in formalising the mining sector in the state,” Nakwada said.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Tumbido, assured that the committee would work with reliable information, respect for the law, fairness and regard for the rights and livelihoods of the people.

He added that the committee would ensure its efforts contribute to lasting security, environmental protection and sustainable development in the state.

The inauguration came against the backdrop of worsening insecurity in mining communities in Anka local government area of the state.

On October 15, elderly residents of Birnin Doki in Anka LGA were reportedly ordered out of their homes by terror leader Muhammad Gwaska for allegedly refusing forced labour in the gold mines controlled by his gang.

Displaced residents said they were forced to walk about 15 kilometres to an abandoned clinic, with no food, water or immediate state aid.

Residents in the area have also alleged that terror groups now control some gold fields, decide who mines, who farms and who lives there, and tax farmers and miners to fund further attacks.

The state government says the new committee is part of its response to dismantle that criminal economy, restore state authority in mining areas, and protect vulnerable communities like Birnin Doki from exploitation.