Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has instructed security agencies to take control of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative site in Yauri Local Government Area, pending its formal regularisation by the State Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals.
The governor made the announcement on Thursday during an inspection of the mining site, following a recent clash between local miners and PAGMI officials, which tragically claimed one life.
He directed that all mining operations be halted temporarily until proper documentation is completed and peace is fully restored.
“This directive is aimed at ensuring sanity and peace for the benefit of the host community and society at large,” Idris said. “The security agencies should take charge of the entire area. I am also appealing to all artisans to formally register with the relevant authorities to avoid any further crisis or breach of peace.”
Idris also called on the local youth to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that “no society can develop in an atmosphere of chaos, rancour, acrimony, or violence.”
He urged them to shun actions that could trigger conflict, hatred, or disunity.
The Maraba Yauri mining site, situated in Ngaski Local Government Area, has long served as a bustling hub for artisanal miners and a center for trade.
