From James Awano, Abuja
The Federal Government on Sunday ordered foreign miners to immediately leave mining sites in Zamfara States and its environs within 48 hours.
It also announced the suspension of mining activities in the state towards curtailing the activities of the armed banditry that have been terrorizing the people of the place.
The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu briefed State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
He said that any foreign miner that continues mining activities would have his license revoked.
According to him, there was a nexus between activities of the bandits and illicit miners.
He also disclosed that a combined team of security forces will be dispatched to the area.
The text he read was entitled, “Security situation in Zamfara and neighboring states: Police, military and DSS intensify joint operations against bandits FG suspends all mining activities in Zamfara and its environs.”
It reads: “As part of sustained efforts to flush out, and permanently put an end to armed banditry and criminality in Zamfara State in particular and the North West in general, the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with the Nigerian Military and other Security Services has commenced “Operation PUFF- ADDER” which is 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
He went on “Meanwhile, in the face of 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, the Federal Government of Nigeria 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 48hours. I want to assure the general public, especially in the affected areas that the security services are doing their best to address the situation.
“May I appeal for the cooperation of the local communities, especially the traditional and religious leaders within the community.” he stated
He said that those who use the social media to peddle fake news on the Zamfara killings should always confirm their information because of the damage it is doing to the country.
He said, “Meanwhile, we note the use of social media to spread fake news, falsehood and deliberate misinformation. We therefore urge our citizens to exercise restraint in circulating unconfirmed information capable of doing more damage to us all.
“Let us not allow the social media to hijack our sense of judgment and capture our minds negatively.” he said
At the briefing was the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Director General, Department of State Services (DSS); Yusuf Bichi and Director General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar.
Worried by the situation, the State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, had recently said that the only solution to flush the bandits out was the provision of adequate equipment to the military and a show of force.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Saturday reassured Nigerians that ending banditry remains a key priority of his administration and that he would do whatever it takes to ensure the country’s security system confronts the public enemies with merciless determination.
As a result of the frequency of the attacks, Buhari had described himself as one of the unhappiest leaders in the world.
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