Nigerian govt gives foreigners 48 hours to leave Zamfara mining sites

The Nigerian government has given all foreigners involved in mining activities in Zamfara State 48 hours to leave the sites.

The government announced a ban on all mining activities as part of measures to restore peace in the state.

Bandits have been attacking villages in Zamfara for almost two years now.

Hundreds have been killed while several others have been kidnapped for ransom.

The bandits also often destroy houses and properties of villagers.

Nigerians staged protest marches in Abuja and other cities on Saturday demanding urgent action to end killings by the bandits.

Following the protests, President Muhammadu Buhari said ending banditry remains a priority of his administration and he would do whatever it takes to save lives.

He, however, called on Nigerians not to politicise the matter

The decision to ban mining and sack foreigners from sites was revealed by the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja.

Mr Adamu said the government took the measure because intelligence reports “clearly established a strong and glaring nexus between the activities of armed bandits and illicit miners -with both mutually re-enforcing each other”.

– Premium Times