Gold mining has resumed in parts of Nigeria’s Niger state despite a government-ordered suspension following the deaths of 37 alleged illegal miners in the custody of the country’s civil defence agency, residents said.
The deaths on Sept. 17 followed operations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on Sept. 15 and 16. The circumstances and cause of the deaths remain under investigation, while the federal government has appointed an independent committee to investigate the incident.
Residents in affected communities say that miners have returned to some sites despite repeated arrests and enforcement operations.
The mining has taken place around homes, churches, hotels and other properties, with residents saying excavations have damaged fences and buildings and left open pits around residential areas.
Niger state Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago ordered the suspension of all mining activities across the state on Sept. 18 and directed the closure of mining operations at the Ema Ushishi site.
Two days later, Bago called for an executive order from the presidency or the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to ban mining in locations identified as problematic across the state, saying stronger federal intervention was needed. But mining activity has continued in some areas.
Miners cite lack of livelihoods
Some miners interviewed before the deaths said they had few alternatives to mining and would continue returning to the sites even after arrests.
A 16-year-old miner identified as Musa, not his real name, told Daily Post that he had travelled from Katsina state to mine in Niger.
“Honestly, we will not stop,” Musa said in Hausa, adding: “As long as we don’t have another means of livelihood, we will keep coming back. Even the NSCDC or the police cannot stop us.”
Residents and miners said some of those operating in the affected areas had come from outside Niger state.
Property owners said they were left paying for damage caused by excavations around their homes and businesses.
A church owner said he had spent substantial sums filling gullies created by mining around the building and estimated he would need more than 1 million naira ($730) to fill excavations around the fence and other parts of the property.
“Any time I come to the premises, there are illegal miners around our property who take water from our well or tanks and sit within the premises to wash the sand for gold.
“When you try to talk to them or chase them away, they turn around and attack you with dangerous weapons on your own property. The development is really sad.”
The church owner also alleged that miners entered the building through the ceiling and took two large standing fans, musical instruments and other items.
Another resident, Mamuda, said mining had created an additional financial burden for property owners.
“They are destroying our property looking for gold to make money and meet their needs, but they leave us with the burden of sourcing money to repair the damage. When will this come to an end?
“Today, it is about the loss of lives, and we are not happy about it. But has anyone also considered what we are going through because of their activities?”
Arrests fail to stop mining
Residents said mining activity became visible again within days of the deaths.
A local resident, Binta Bello, said many miners moved towards the mining area in Tunga on Sept. 19 and allegedly told residents that nobody could stop them.
Another resident, Moses, said he saw miners digging for gold in the area on Sept. 20.
On Sept. 21 miners were excavating close to an NSCDC office while personnel were present at the office. No visible intervention was observed during the period of the visit.
Police later entered the mining area on Sept. 23 and arrested some miners, while others escaped. Mining equipment including shovels, diggers and head pans was removed.
By Sept. 26, residents said miners had returned to some locations. The latest activity follows years of enforcement operations that authorities have acknowledged have struggled to prevent arrested miners from returning.
In August, police said more than 100 suspected illegal miners had been arrested during the year, while the NSCDC said its Mining Marshals had arrested more than 100 suspected illegal miners and taken about 29 to court.
Police also said some suspects were fined and subsequently returned to illegal mining.
Niger state police spokesman SP Wasiu Abiodun said at the time: “They pay fines and later return to their illegal activities, thereby recycling them.”
Environmental and safety concerns
Residents and environmental advocates have also raised concerns about the effects of excavations around buildings.
Environmental activist Malang Ebrahim Kadiogu warned that continued mining around homes, hotels and other buildings could weaken foundations and worsen gully erosion.
Kadiogu also warned that prolonged tensions between miners and property owners could lead to confrontation if authorities fail to address the problem.
“It’s unacceptable to destroy another person’s property in search of livelihood,” he said, calling for measures to provide unemployed youths with alternative sources of income.
Abiodun said police patrol teams continued to monitor mining locations in the state. “Recently, some arrests were made and we shall continue to patrol these locations,” he said.
He said the police would work with the Ministry of Mineral Resources to find a permanent solution and urged the ministry to take necessary steps to address the problem.
Faustine Ngila is the AI Editor at Impact Newswire, based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is an award-winning journalist specializing in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging technologies.
He previously worked as a global technology reporter at Quartz in New York and Digital Frontier in London, where he covered innovation, startups, and the global digital economy.
With years of experience reporting on cutting-edge technologies, Faustine focuses on AI developments, industry trends, and the impact of technology on society.
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