In a bold move to tackle underground resource theft, police force in Zamfara State have detained 21 individuals accused of illegal mining in key hotspots.
The sweep happened over the weekend in Zurmi and Maradun districts, highlighting ongoing efforts to restore order in mineral-rich zones.
According to police officials, specialized teams stormed the sites after tips about rampant unauthorized mining.
Joint forces included state police experts in mining crimes, rapid response squads, and explosives handlers.
They teamed up with civil defense personnel and federal mining regulators from the Gusau branch.
Raids zeroed in on remote spots like Boko in Zurmi and Kaya in Maradun, where illicit extraction has thrived unchecked.
“These operations send a clear message: illegal mining won’t be tolerated anymore,” said a police representative, emphasizing the need for swift justice.
All captured suspects are now facing intense questioning at a dedicated anti-mining task force.
AFRIPOST reports that Zamfara’s battle with unregulated gold hunts has drained massive funds from public coffers, experts warn.
Daily losses run into billions of naira, fueling calls for tighter controls on natural wealth.
Worse still, these activities often tie into rising violence, with bandits overseeing dig sites and displacing locals.
Communities in areas like Maru, Anka, Tsafe, Bukkuyum, Zurmi, Bungudu, Talata-Mafara, and Shinkafi suffer the most from these mineral-driven conflicts.
Governments at both levels have tried shutdowns before, but spotty policing let the problem linger.
Now, with security stabilizing, Nigeria’s central authority has ended a long-standing five-year mining freeze in the state.
As probes continue, more details could emerge on how to secure Zamfara’s treasures for the future.