Following several killings in Zamfara state, the Federal Government has
affected states.
The announcement of the mining suspension was made on the Presidency
twitter handle @NGRPresident today.
The federal Government also announced that a combined team of the Police
and the Military have started joint security offensive against the bandits
In the face of intelligence reports that have 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:
1. Mining activities in Zamfara and other affected States are hereby
suspended with immediate effect.
2. Consequently, any mining operator who engages in mining activities in
the affected locations henceforth will have his licence revoked.
3. All foreigners operating in the mining fields should close and leave
within 48 hours.
The Nigeria Police Force @PoliceNG has commenced, in collaboration with
the Nigerian Military and other Security Services, “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
– arresting and bringing to book all perpetrators of violence in the
affected areas, and their collaborators
– achieving total destruction of all criminal camps and hideouts
– mopping up all illicit weapons fueling the violence and attaining a full
restoration of law and order in the affected communities.
Our commitment to 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.
We appeal for the cooperation of the local communities, especially the
traditional and religious leaders within these communities.
We also urge citizens to exercise restraint in circulating unconfirmed
information capable of doing more damage to us all.