By: Sundiata post

A group of Nigerian security experts has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently halt the activities of illegal miners in Zamfara State and other northern regions. The experts, from the Arewa Patriotic Neighborhood Watch (APNW), stated that illegal mining is severely hampering security efforts against banditry.

The group specifically urged President Tinubu to revisit various reports implicating former Zamfara State Governor and current Senator Abdulaziz Yari in the illegal gold mining trade, which they described as a primary driver of regional insecurity. They argued that as long as illegal mining continues, bandits—often entrusted with securing the mining sites—will maintain the upper hand, making it difficult for security forces to intervene.

The experts cited past federal government actions, including a 2019 ban on illegal mining and police operations, which failed to stop the activities. They referenced multiple reports linking Senator Yari to illicit gold trade and corruption, questioning why these findings have not been acted upon. They also highlighted the devastating human cost, including lead poisoning that killed hundreds of children and massive economic sabotage where an estimated $500 million in annual mining revenue bypasses state coffers.

Senator Yari was not available for comment at the time of the report and has consistently denied all previous allegations.