16th April, 2024
The Niger State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Garba Sabo says 30 people have been arrested for illegal mining in the state.
Sabo while addressing reporters on Monday, also said the Ministry of Mineral Resources had profiled 229 mining companies for assessment.
Concerning the illegal miners, he said they were arrested during a recent visit to some illegal mining sites. He said there were those who could not be caught because they fled when they saw government officials.
He said: “It is unfair to call us incompetent when you have not seen the work we have done. We go into these mining sites and, sometimes, despite being with security men, we are usually attacked. We are doing our best to stop this menace and to protect the sites.”