_Party demands security-first approach, cautions against opening new frontier for banditry_
By Muhd D Haidar
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jigawa State Chapter, has cautioned the state government against its plan to expand mining operations across the state, warning that the move could jeopardise the relative peace and security enjoyed by Jigawa communities and create new opportunities for banditry, kidnapping, abduction and ransom-related criminality.
The party said the government’s mining drive, coming amid prevailing insecurity and economic pressures across the country, could expose Jigawa to new security threats if proper safeguards were not established.
The position followed the inauguration of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) by the state government to promote solid-mineral development, formalise mining operations, enhance revenue generation and strengthen environmental management.
In a statement, ADC Deputy State Chairman, Ambassador Nuraddeen Suleiman Jidawa, said the reported infiltration of foreigners into some troubled areas across the country made it imperative for the government to conduct a comprehensive security assessment before opening up mineral-bearing communities.
He warned that poorly regulated mining activities could provide opportunities for bandits, illegal miners, criminal financiers, arms traffickers and smugglers to establish footholds in the state.
“Jigawa cannot afford to create another avenue through which criminal networks, illegal miners or other security threats could gain access to our communities,” Jidawa said.
The ADC official cited experiences from Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna as examples of how unregulated mining activities could attract criminal elements and contribute to banditry, kidnapping, extortion, arms trafficking and mineral smuggling.
He stressed that Jigawa’s relative peace remained a strategic asset that must be protected through preventive security measures rather than waiting for criminal networks to become established.
“The fundamental question is: what security architecture is in place to ensure that Jigawa’s mineral deposits do not become magnets for bandits, illegal miners, criminal financiers, arms traffickers and smugglers?” he asked.
The party warned that Jigawa must not wait until bandits establish mining camps, communities come under attack, criminal financiers penetrate the mineral economy or mineral smuggling becomes entrenched before taking decisive action.
The ADC called on the state government to undertake comprehensive security mapping and assessment of all proposed mining locations and surrounding communities.
It also demanded the suspension of new mining activities until security conditions improve and adequate safeguards are established.
Jidawa said the party supported job creation, economic diversification and responsible exploitation of mineral resources, but insisted that security must remain the overriding consideration.
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