The Federal Government has said foreigners are behind the mining operations in Niger State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake disclosed this in a post via his X handle on Thursday.
He announced an immediate halt to all mining activities following the death of no fewer than 12 persons by armed men in Unguwar Magro Village, Shiroro Local Government of Niger State.
Dele expressed an assurance that the perpetrators would be arrested, noting the commitment of security agencies to ensuring the safety of miners across the country.
He said, “I assure Nigerians that security agencies are on the trail of the murderers of twelve miners shot in Unguwar Magro Village, Niger State, and they will be apprehended soon.
“No mining will occur at the attack site until investigations are complete. Security agencies are committed to ensuring that mines across the country are safe from bandits seeking to exploit mineral-rich areas through violence.”
The Minister noted that mining marshals are working with intelligence units to turn the attack into a “special case”, thus tracking the suspected “bandits” infiltrating Shiroro from neighbouring states.
He added, “Those who invade villages and kill innocents for illegal mining will face severe consequences.
“Preliminary reports indicate that non-Nigerians are funding these operations. Anyone involved will be prosecuted for economic sabotage and waging war against Nigeria.
“I also urge embassies to monitor their nationals in the mining sector, as criminal activities threaten international relations.”
Earlier, the Niger State Acting Governor, Yakubu Garba had earlier condemned the attack on the miners describing it as “satanic, insensible, atrocious and callous.”
A statement made available to NewsNGR and signed by the Acting Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim noted how disheartening and disturbing it was for humans to carry out such a “barbaric and vicious act on their fellow humans.”
Garba further reinstated the government’s commitment to taming the tide of insecurity in the State.
He encouraged the security agencies not to be discouraged by the attacks on communities, assuring them of every support required to conquer the non-state actors.