The Zamfara State Police Command has apprehended six foreign nationals from Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, alongside several Nigerians, for their involvement in illegal mining and banditry within the state.
The arrests mark a significant development in the fight against illegal mining activities that have been rampant in the region, often fueling criminal operations.
The suspects were paraded on Wednesday at the Command Headquarters in Gusau by the State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dalijan, who disclosed details of the arrests.
He revealed that the suspects, three of whom were from Burkina Faso, were apprehended in Anka Local Government Area, where they had been operating a mining site previously controlled by notorious bandits’ leader Halilu Sububu.
Among the materials seized from them were dangerous chemicals, including CNI, which are used to extract gold.
“They are non-indigenes who traveled from Burkina Faso to Nigeria solely to engage in illegal mining.
They were arrested with dangerous chemicals like CNI. As you may know, CNI is a chemical that is often used by criminals, but in this case, they were using it for gold extraction,” Dalijan explained.
The Commissioner also added that investigations were ongoing to determine whether the suspects were armed, given their control over the mining pit once managed by the infamous bandits’ kingpin.
In addition to these arrests, 10 other illegal miners were arrested in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area.
They were found with multiple bags of mineral processing chemicals, which the police believe were being used to support illegal mining operations in the region.
Further escalating concerns over cross-border criminal activities, the Zamfara police also arrested three foreigners from Niger Republic.
These individuals were found with three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and corresponding ammunition.
“We are looking into the source of these firearms and working to identify the manufacturers behind these weapons,” Dalijan said.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns over irregular migration of foreigners into Nigeria, with many entering the country to commit crimes, particularly in the mining sector.
Dalijan expressed his alarm at the increasing number of foreign nationals involved in illegal activities and reiterated the Command’s commitment to enforcing the federal and state government bans on mining in the state.
“We are facing threats from our neighbors—people from Burkina Faso and Niger coming into Zamfara to commit various crimes. Some of these individuals venture deep into areas that even locals avoid.
There’s more to this situation, and we are investigating it thoroughly,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the ban on mining activities, enforced by both the Federal Government and the Zamfara State Government, remains in effect, and violators will continue to face the full weight of the law.
“The Inspector General of Police has mandated us to enforce the ban, and we will not stop until there are no more illegal miners in Zamfara State,” Dalijan affirmed.
The issue of illegal mining in Zamfara has been a persistent challenge, often linked to the rise in banditry and other violent crimes.
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