To further check cases of insecurity in the state, the Benue state government has ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities going on in parts of the state.
Governor Samuel Ortom gave the order in Government House on Thursday during an emergency security meeting with stakeholders from Kwande local government area
Governor Ortom noted that the illegal mining activities poses security and environmental threats to not just Kwande but the entire state if allowed to continue.
He, therefore, revoked all rights granted to mining racketeers by some communities within Benue state territory, warning that anyone caught indulging in or abating illegal mining in the state will be prosecuted.
The Governor stated that although mining in the exclusive list is controlled by the Federal Government, the lands where mining would be done were held by the Governor in trust for the people of state, emphasising that due process must be followed in carrying out mining.
He said prospective licensed miners will be adequately profiled before they will be allowed to carry out any mining activity in the state to check the infiltration of criminal elements.
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He commended the Kwande local government Council Chairman, Orjiir Gbande for alerting him to the security and environmental threats posed by the illegal mining activities in the Turan and Kyurav axis of the local government saying such action will also be taken concerning Ogbadibo, Logo and Gboko LGAs.
Also speaking, Senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, Senator Gabriel Suswam, charged Benue people on the unity of purpose to overcome the security challenges confronting the state.
He urged Kwande elites to enlighten their people on the consequences of allowing strange persons unhindered access to the communities and called on all traditional rulers in the state to be security conscious to deter criminal elements.
The Council Chairman, Kwande local government, Orjiir Gbande, pledged to ensure that his people heed to the Governor’s warning concerning the issue of illegal mining while the Tor Kwande, His Royal Highness, Ambrose Iortyer and the Ter Kwande, His Royal Highness, Timothy Ahile, all appreciated Governor Ortom for his approach to nip insecurity in the bud.
