Shiroro Mines Tragedy: FG Imposes Mining Ban at Attack Site, Vows Justice for Slain Miners

Ololade Adeyanju/

The Federal Government has vowed to bring the perpetrators responsible for the gruesome killing of 12 miners at Unguwar Magro Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State to justice.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, security agencies have been mobilized to track down the bandits involved, and the government is committed to ensuring they face the full force of the law.

In the interim, all mining activities at the site of the attack have been suspended pending the completion of a thorough investigation by security agencies.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, expressed deep sorrow over the brutal murders and reiterated the government’s resolve to protect mining sites nationwide from the encroachment of criminal elements. He assured that the security agencies would not relent in their efforts to safeguard mineral-rich areas from banditry and illegal mining operations.

“The Mining Marshals, in collaboration with intelligence units and other security agencies, are actively pursuing those responsible for this heinous act,” Dr. Alake stated. “We are committed to making this attack a pivotal case for enhanced collaboration among all agencies to dismantle the operations of these bandits, who are believed to have infiltrated Shiroro Local Government from neighboring states.”

He added, “There is a new Sheriff in town, and we are taking the fight against banditry in the mining sector very seriously. Those who think they can terrorize villages and kill innocent people to pave the way for illegal mining will soon realize it is no longer business as usual. With the Mining Marshals and the intelligence community on their trail, we will ensure these criminals are brought to justice.”

Preliminary investigations have also pointed to the involvement of foreign nationals in funding illegal mining operations. Dr. Alake warned that any foreigner found complicit would be prosecuted for economic sabotage and waging war against the Nigerian State. He also urged foreign embassies in Nigeria to closely monitor their citizens’ activities in the mining sector, as any criminal involvement could strain bilateral relations