By Rauf Oyewole
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has directed the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to deal decisively with individuals involved in illegal mining, warning that nobody will be spared if found complicit, regardless of status or political connections.
The governor gave the directive during the State Security Council meeting Thursday, where he identified illegal mining as a major security concern linked to banditry and criminal syndicates.
Mohammed said his administration would not tolerate activities that undermine the state's economy and threaten the safety of residents.
“I have said it before, and I emphasise it today: absolutely no individual, regardless of their status, power or family ties to those in government, must be spared if found complicit,” he said.
The governor urged the Nigerian Army and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle illegal mining and dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.
He noted that security threats facing Bauchi included banditry, kidnapping, cross-border criminal incursions, illegal mining and the spread of misinformation.
According to him, the threats are increasingly mobile, adaptive and interconnected, requiring coordinated and sustained security operations.
The governor commended security personnel for what he described as significant operational successes in dismantling criminal networks in Alkaleri, Ningi and Ganjuwa local government areas.
He, however, directed security agencies to intensify ground operations and patrols to replicate the successes recorded in Alkaleri across other vulnerable communities.
Mohammed also warned traditional rulers, community leaders and local government officials against illegally allocating land, harbouring suspicious individuals or facilitating unlawful access to mining sites.
He said anyone found engaging in such activities would face legal sanctions and possible removal from office.
“We will not allow the greed or negligence of a few to jeopardise the safety of millions,” the governor said.
To strengthen security operations, Mohammed expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army High Command for approving the establishment of two new military battalions in Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa.
He also acknowledged Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University for allowing the temporary use of its facility in Tafawa Balewa town to accommodate one of the battalions.
The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to provide logistics, vehicles, communication equipment and other support to security agencies.
He further called on residents to support security operations by providing credible and timely information to law enforcement agencies while rejecting rumours and misinformation that could undermine peace.
Mohammed maintained that security was a collective responsibility and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between traditional institutions, communities and security agencies to protect lives and property across the state.
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