By Segun Adewale in Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has directed the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to take decisive action against illegal mining, warning that nobody would be spared regardless of status or connections.
The Governor who gave the directive on Thursday during the State Security Council meeting held at Government House Bauchi, attended by heads of security agencies and the Emir of Bauchi, who chairs the State Council of Traditional Rulers, stressed that illegal mining could finance banditry, support criminal networks and undermine public security.
He particularly directed security agencies to intensify coordinated ground operations and patrols across vulnerable communities, warning that his administration will not tolerate banditry, kidnapping, illegal mining or any activities threatening the safety of residents.
The Governor acknowledged that Bauchi State remains relatively peaceful compared with some neighbouring states, however, warned that the government would not allow the situation to breed complacency in the face of evolving security threats.
He identified banditry, kidnapping, cross border criminal activities, illegal mining and misinformation as interconnected challenges requiring a coordinated and sustained response from security agencies and traditional institutions.
The Governor commended security operatives for their successes in dismantling criminal networks in areas including Alkaleri, Ningi and other affected parts of the state, but insisted that more is needed to be done to consolidate the gains.
He consequently directed security agencies to replicate the successes recorded in Alkaleri across other vulnerable communities, particularly forest reserves and border settlements, by denying criminal elements freedom of movement and dismantling their hideouts.
On illegal mining, Governor Bala Mohammed declared that his administration would take decisive action against individuals and groups involved in the activity, describing it as a major source of support for banditry and criminal networks.
He warned that no individual would be spared on account of political influence, social status or family connections if found culpable, adding that security operations must be conducted with fairness, professionalism and without political considerations.
The Governor, also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Army High Command for approving the establishment of two new military battalions in Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa.
He charged traditional rulers and community leaders to strengthen intelligence gathering, establish effective early warning mechanisms and promptly report suspicious movements, particularly during seasonal migrations.
He warned that any traditional or community leader found culpable of illegally allocating land, harbouring suspicious persons or facilitating unauthorised access to mining sites would face legal sanctions and possible removal from office.
Governor Bala assured that the state government would continue to provide logistics, communication equipment and other operational support to security agencies, while calling on residents to reject misinformation and political rumours and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence.
The Governor urged members of the Security Council to use the meeting to identify practical solutions and renew their commitment to collective security, declaring that the government would not give criminal elements room to threaten the peace and stability of the State
