National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has raised concerns about the security risks posed by artisanal miners in the state, who are in possession of guns and explosives.
This revelation comes after a dynamite explosion at a miner’s residence in Sabon-Pegi community, Mashegu LGA, killed three people and injured several others.
The governor acknowledged that Niger State is rich in gold and lithium deposits, attracting a surge in artisanal mining.
However, he noted that illegal miners often store explosives and firearms, worsening insecurity in the area.
Governor Bago urged the people to surrender their explosives and dangerous weapons to a security committee, saying;
“We urge the people to surrender their explosives and dangerous weapons to a security committee comprising law enforcement agencies, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), traditional institutions, and other relevant stakeholders for safe storage, rather than keeping them at homes.”
The state government has announced a N174 million relief package to support the victims of the explosion.
The president has also directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to intensify advocacy and enlightenment campaigns to prevent such incidents from recurring.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the Chairman of Mashegu LGA, Umar Jibrin Igade, reported that 69 people were affected, with two deaths recorded, and six injured people treated and discharged from hospital.
The local government council has temporarily banned artisanal mining due to the risks posed by stored explosives.
