The Federal Government has suspended mining activities in Zamfara, and ordered all expatriates involved in mining activities to leave the area within 48 hours.
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, announced the suspension on Sunday to journalists in Abuja.
The police chief was flanked by the president’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and Director-General of National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufa’i.
Zamfara has been plagued with killings and kidnappings with many criticising the president for slow response to the issue.
Adamu said the suspension of the mining activities followed “intelligence report that has clearly established a strong and glaring nexus between the activities of armed bandits and illicit miners -with both mutually re-enforcing each other.’’
He added: “Mining activities in Zamfara and other affected states are hereby suspended with immediate effect.
“Consequently, any mining operator who engages in mining activities in the affected locations henceforth will have his licence revoked.
“All foreigners operating in the mining fields should close and leave within 48 hours.”
He also assured the general public, especially those in the affected areas, that security agencies were doing their best to address the situation.
