"Illegal Mining: Kebb i Gov Orders Temporary Closure of Mining Site"

By Umar Faruk

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria - September 25, 2025 (Series News Online)

Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasir Idris, has ordered the temporary closure of the Mararrabar Birnin Yauri gold mining site in Ngaski Local Government Area, Yauri Emirate. The decision aims to address the issue of illegal mining and prevent any breakdown of law and order.

According to Governor Idris, the closure is necessary to ensure that the mining activities are conducted in a lawful and orderly manner. "I am hereby directing security operatives to take over the mining site until an amicable solution can be reached between the Kebbi government and the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative, PAGMI," he said.

The governor expressed concern that the government does not benefit from mining, while the communities who own the land deserve better treatment. "The government wants to know everything about all mining activities in the state," he emphasized. "Our communities who own the land under which solid minerals are located deserve better treatment, and they must be engaged as beneficiaries."

Governor Idris also ordered the Ministry of Mining to compile a comprehensive register of all persons, organizations, and companies registered to prospect for gold and other minerals in the state. "Recently, there was serious unrest arising from illegal mining in which one life was lost," he recalled. "As a responsible government, we must restore peace and strengthen security."

The governor warned against the presence of unknown persons from foreign countries in the state, saying, "We cannot allow unknown persons from foreign countries, like Mali, Tanzania, Chad, and Niger, to come and constitute security threats in our state."

In a bid to resolve the recent skirmishes, Governor Idris ordered the release of about 50 youths arrested and remanded in correctional custody through an out-of-court settlement.

Representatives of PAGMI, the Kebbi Commissioner for Mining, the Managing Director of the Kebbi Mining Development Agency, and other stakeholders briefed the governor on the complaints and problems at the mining site.

After the visit to the mining site, Governor Idris paid homage to the Emir of Yauri, Dr. Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullah, in his Royal Palace, Yauri.