Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has ordered the military and other security agencies to step up operations against illegal miners, warning that anyone involved would face the law regardless of their political influence or connections.
Mohammed gave the directive on Thursday during a meeting of the State Security Council, where he described illegal mining as a growing security threat linked to banditry and organised criminal activities.
“No individual, regardless of their status, power or family ties to those in government, must be spared if found complicit,” the governor said.
The governor commended security operatives for their reported successes in disrupting criminal networks in Alkaleri, Ningi and Ganjuwa local government areas.
However, he directed them to extend their operations and patrols to other vulnerable communities to prevent criminals from relocating to less-secure areas.
Mohammed also cautioned traditional rulers, community leaders and local government officials against illegally allocating land, sheltering suspicious persons or facilitating unauthorised access to mining sites.
He warned that anyone found aiding such activities would face legal action and could lose their position.
“We will not allow the greed or negligence of a few to jeopardise the safety of millions,” he said.
The governor also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army High Command for approving two additional military battalions for Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa local government areas.
He thanked Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University for permitting the temporary use of its facility in Tafawa Balewa town to accommodate one of the battalions.
Gov Bala Mohammed orders crackdown on illegal miners in Bauchi