The Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources has intensified monitoring and enforcement operations across mining communities as part of efforts to restore order and promote responsible mining practices in the state.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Dibie Maureen, said the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuma, recently led an enforcement operation against illegal miners operating within a residential area in Minna, the state capital.

The operation, which took place around 6:30 p.m. behind the Bilkebeb Shango area of Minna, targeted a site where illegal mining activities had allegedly been carried out without restriction.

According to the statement, seven suspects were arrested during the operation, while nine motorcycles believed to have been used for the illegal activities were confiscated.

The suspects and the seized motorcycles were subsequently handed over to the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and necessary action.

Speaking during the operation, Danjuma expressed concern over illegal mining activities taking place within a residential community in the state capital, describing the development as dangerous to human lives and the environment.

He said the enforcement exercise aligned with the New Niger Agenda of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago aimed at sanitising the mining sector and eradicating illegal mining across the state.

The commissioner warned that anyone found engaging in illegal mining at the site or any other unauthorised location would face the full weight of the law.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to transforming the mining sector, boosting internally generated revenue, and protecting the state’s natural resources for present and future generations.

Danjuma also stressed that the government had a responsibility to safeguard residents by preventing activities capable of endangering lives and property.

The commissioner was accompanied on the operation by the ministry’s Director of Administration and personnel of the NSCDC, including the corps’ operational commander.