In its decisive enforcement onslaught against the activities of illegal miners in Niger State, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources in the state, Hon. Mohammed Qasim Danjuma,has embarked on aggressive regulatory inspection at the Zuzungi Mining site in Kateregi area of Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
Already,the inspection of the Mining site has yielded the arrest of two foreigners who were engaging in illegal Mining activities in violation of established regulatory frameworks.
The suspects were immediately handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary legal action in line with existing laws.
The inspection, conducted alongside the Permanent Secretary, Directors of the Ministry, and relevant security agencies, is part of the Ministry’s intensified efforts to enforce compliance, uphold regulatory standards, and protect the State’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.
Speaking during the exercise, the Honourable Commissioner reaffirmed the Niger State Government’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining. He stressed that all operators must strictly comply with licensing requirements, approved guidelines, and environmental regulations. He further highlighted that safeguarding host communities, preserving the environment, and upholding the rule of law remain top priorities of the State’s mining policy.
This action underscores the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to responsible resource management, institutional accountability, and the creation of a safe, transparent, and investment-friendly mining sector. It also aligns with the vision of His Excellency, Farmer Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago, and the broader objectives of the New Niger Agenda
Hon. Qasim Danjuma who is also the Danrimi Agaie Emirate warned that his Ministry will continue to launch aggressive inspections on Mining sites across the state with the aim of making the Mining sites inhabitable to illegal Miners and their unwholesome activities in the state.
He called on Community leaders and critical stakeholders in the state to continue to monitor the activities of illegal Miners in their domains and report to the Ministry for prompt and decisive action to be taken against them.
Speaking further,the Danrimi of Agaie assured that his Ministry will not relent on its oars until the state is rid of the unwholesome activities of illegal Miners insisting that “ battle line has been drawn with the operational activities of illegal Miners in Niger State.
“ Let me sound this warning to the unlicensed activities of illegal Miners in Niger State.The Ministry has drawn a battle line with their unwholesome operational and legal activities in the state.
“ We will continue to chase them out of the state if they continue with their criminal activities on our Mining Site.
“ We have already launched an onslaught against them. We will continue to monitor their activities across our Mining sites in the state until we flush them out of Niger State” the Commissioner declared.
