Illegal miners defy Govt ban, as NSCDC raises alarm

Illegal miners have defied the government’s ban on mining activities in Borno State, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Farouq Musa-Boyi, made this known in an interview with journalists on Saturday in Maiduguri.

He said most of the illegal mining occurs in the Bayo Local Government Area of the state, where the unregistered artisans have caused environmental damage, especially in Wuyo, Jaradali and Balbaya villages.

“There are several minerals in Borno which include Feldspar, Limestone, Kaolin, Potash, Iron-Ore, Quarts, Magnetite, Diatomite, Trona, Mica, Silica Sand, Gypsum, Granite, Flutters Earth and Uranium among others.

“As you are aware, the Borno government has banned illegal miners in the state and warned defaulters of dire consequences.

“Despite the ban, these illegal merchants continued to steal these resources with impunity,” he said.

According to him, the NSCDC will clamp down on the defaulters and bring them to justice.