The Nasarawa State Government has banned traditional rulers from issuing consent letters to illegal lithium miners in the state’s 13 local government areas.
The state governor, Abudullahi Sule, who gave the order, said the actions beget serious security threats.
Governor Sule who gave the warning when he hosted members of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, led by its deputy chairman, the Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, at the Government House in Lafia, the state capital.
He decried the influx of illegal miners into the state, adding that it has the potential for significant security challenges if not addressed, and told the royal fathers to be cautious of individuals exploiting economic difficulties to foster insecurity in mining areas.
Citing examples of Karu and the Karshi Development Areas, Governor Sule said illegal miners had made it difficult for licensed miners to access their sites.
“Even those with the cadastral licenses find it hard to go to their sites due to illegal miners, who act like bandits. Licensed miners have told me that they need special security to disperse the illegal miners before they can operate,” he said.
He appealed to traditional rulers to take this issue seriously to prevent unnecessary security challenges in Nasarawa State.
“There is nothing that attracts insecurity more than mining. It is an easy way for people to make money, especially those who may not have the state’s best interests at heart but seek to cause security breaches to exploit mineral resources illegally,” Governor Sule said.
He told the royal fathers that there was frequent discovery of new mineral resources and the increasing interest of investors in the state.
“We have had many investors showing interest in our state due to our recent developments. However, during these challenging times, some individuals might exploit the situation by offering money to communities or royal fathers.
“It is easy to fall prey to such temptations, but I appeal to our royal fathers to take this issue seriously to avoid creating further security challenges,” the governor added.
