The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, psc, fsi has called for a strict clamp down on illegal mining activities in the state through collaborative effort from all stakeholders.
The CP made the call while receiving the Commissioner, Ministry of Mineral Resources, Hon. Garba Sabo Yahaya and his entourage on courtesy visit Thursday 11th July, 2024.
During the visit, the Commissioner of Mineral Resources noted that the ministry has been having a tough time with illegal mining activities within the State, hence the need to visit the Commissioner of Police for support and partnership.
He asserted that the ministry does not have the required manpower for enforcement, therefore, the ministry needs to partner with the Police and other security agencies.
Garba Sabo Yahaya appreciated the Commissioner of Police for visiting the scene of the recent mining site landslide along with him.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police expressed gladness to receive the Commissioner and his entourage from the ministry, saying it is pertinent to interface with each other to discuss issues of mutual challenges.
He said that naturally, lots of challenges are associated with mining, and the concern about the influx of illegal miners.
CP said he is not oblivious of government policies and direction on illegal mining in the State, therefore, the two agencies must collaborate and fashion out the best ways the challenges can be addressed.
He said ” we must jointly work to convince the government in actualising its vision in this regard”.
The Commissioner of police noted that the matter is not embarking on something but doing it properly and right is what matters, saying those involved in illegal and unsafe mining do not put measures in place to reduce risk.
He said it was observed during the last rescue operation, that the miners did not provide an ambulance and there was no first aid equipment, asserting that it’s a great challenge and that security agencies must be brought together for a robust fight to reduce the hazards to a barest minimum.
The CP urged the ministry to have a robust intelligence structure for information to help the ministry and the mining security operations.
Furthermore, he admonished on media engagement for sensitization of the public against unsafe and illegal mining, encouraging the Commissioner to also partner with the traditional institution for monitoring and information.
The CP noted that the illegal and unsafe miners must be pursued for safety and that the effort must be aggressive, emphasising on the need for Zonal offices for the ministry, considering the size of the State, opining that the government could also be advised on revocation of land ownership from anyone found to be leasing lands for illegal and unsafe mining in the State.
