Gold Mining: Kebbi Council Imposes Curfew Over Violent Clash
From : Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi
The Yauri Local Government Council of Kebbi State has imposed curfew in Yauri town following a violent clash over gold mining.
The curfew is from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until further notice.
The incident began early on Tuesday night when security operatives intervened to prevent the lynching of a suspect accused of killing a gold miner.
Shortly after the suspect was rescued, the gold miners went on a rampage, burning tyres and obstructing the highway, thereby causing serious challenges for motorists plying the road.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that two commercial motorcycle riders were found dead, adding that their deaths suspected to be linked to the activities of gold miners.
The source further revealed that, despite directives from the state governor ordering a halt to all mining activities in the area, the miners have continued their operations unabated.
According to the source, mining activities resumed barely two days after the governor’s visit and issued a directive in respect of response to the deteriorating security situation.
It would be recalled that worried by the worsening insecurity, the Northern Governors’ Forum and the Traditional Rulers’ Council on December 1 demanded a six-month suspension of all mining activities in the region, attributing illegal mining as a major factor responsible for the worsening insecurity in many states.
The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria.
It, therefore, resolved to strongly recommend to the President to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of six months to allow proper audit, and to subject all mining licences to revalidation for a period of six months in active consultation with the various state governors.
