Kebbi Indigenes Won’t Be Slaves In Their Land, Idris Frowns At Artisan Miners’ Security Breach

From : Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi

Following the fracas at a mining site in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi state that led to the death of one person, with many injured Tuesday, the State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has promised to sanitize mining activities across the state, directing the youths of the state to be actively and meaningfully engaged in such mining activities.

”The state government would not fold its arms and allow its citizens to be treated like slaves in their own land that all the Gold and other solid minerals were endowed to them by the Almighty God.”

 The Governor stated this Thursday in Yauri, when he paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Dr. Zayyanu Abdullahi.

He told the Emir that his visit was necessitated by the recent altercations at the Marrarabar Yauri mining site in Ngaski LGA under the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiatives. 

“We have, however, swiftly intervened and duly restored peace, and we will not allow acts of impunity by anybody,  mostly by foreigners.”

The Governor lamented that mining activities were related to insecurity, warning, “we won’t tolerate the infiltration of people from Mali, Niger and even Tanzania.

“These are people from neighbouring West African countries and others from East Africa who are conducting these activities”, he said.

According to him, the suspension would not be lifted until when all the artisans miners are properly profiled and duly registered.

The Emir in his response commended the Governor for his timely and very important visit, saying that it would further bolster peace across the state, especially at the affected mining site.

The Royal Father also welcomed the suspension of mining activities in the site by the Governor, underscoring the need to respect law and order.

Dr Abdullahi lamented that most of the Artisan miners causing trouble in the area were largely unlicenced, adding, “they have however become powerful, they are armed and lawless.

He added that these people are backed by some security agencies and some politicians, hence their impunity is unbecoming and they must be checked.