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FG suspends mining in Zamfara to curb banditry, gives foreigners 48 hours to leave

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The Federal Government has announced the suspension of all forms of mining activities in Zamfara, and ordered all foreigners engaged in mining activities to leave the state within 48 hours .

The Acting Inspector – General of Police, Muhammed Adamu , who disclosed this when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja on Sunday, said the order was part of measures to check banditry in the state .

The IGP addressed the correspondents alongside the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari ; Director- General of the Department of State Services , Yusuf Bichi; and Director – General of the National Intelligence Agency , Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’ i .

Adamu stated that the suspension of 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, therefore , revealed that the Federal Government has directed as follows :
“ 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 added .

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The Police boss assured the general public , especially those in the affected areas , that the security services are doing their best to address the situation .

He maintained that as part of sustained efforts to flush out and permanently put an end to banditry and criminality in Zamfara in particular and the North West in general , the Police in collaboration with the military and other security services had commenced Operation Puff Adder , a full- scale security offensive against the bandits .

“ The operation is aimed at reclaiming every public space under the control of the bandits , arrest and bring to book all perpetrators of violence in the area and their collaborators , achieve a total destruction of all criminal camps and hideouts, mop up all illicit weapons fueling the violence and attain a full restoration of law and order in the affected communities .

“ Our commitment at protecting the sanctity of life and property is irrevocable , and we will not scale – down the pressure on the armed bandits until they are totally flushed- out , ’’ he said .
( NAN)

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