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Suspected illegal miners clash in Niger
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The residents of the Western Bypass area near El-Amin University in Minna, Niger State, were thrown into panic in the early hours of Thursday, July 10, 2025, following a violent clash between suspected groups of illegal miners operating behind the PDP Secretariat, Minna.
A statement released to newsmen in Minna by the Ministry of Mineral Resources’ Information Officer, Mrs. Dibie Maureen, reported that chaos broke out around dawn. The ministry responded quickly, and upon arrival, security forces found that the suspected hoodlums had already fled.
The statement explained that several illegal miners were apprehended during the operation and will be charged in court following due legal process.
It stressed that the enforcement operation was led by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Alhaji Garba Yahaya, accompanied by senior directors from the ministry and a joint security task force comprising personnel from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Speaking shortly after the operation, Commissioner Yahaya condemned the illegal activities and reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance against illegal mining.
Yahaya described the escalating incidents as a serious threat to public peace, environmental sustainability, and lawful economic development in the state.
The commissioner had reiterated the directive of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, which mandates all illegal miners to vacate the state with immediate effect.
He, however, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, the NSCDC State Commandant, the Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army, and other security stakeholders for their swift and coordinated response.
Yahaya re-emphasised that the ministry will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure the protection of lives, property, and mineral resources in the state.
The commissioner highlighted growing concerns over environmental damage caused by unregulated mining, including the destruction of drainage channels, encroachment on burial grounds behind the M.I. Wushishi Estate, collapse of residents’ perimeter fences, and the blocking of culverts connecting communities, which creates risks of flooding.
He assured that the ministry, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, reaffirmed its commitment to restoring order and safeguarding communities across Niger State from the destructive effects of illegal mining.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has promised to deliver Inner Southern Expressway (Goodluck Jonathan Way) awarded in December 2014, and abandoned for 12 years in December.
Wike gave the promise in Abuja on Tuesday, after inspecting the project, along with the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District.
He said that the 10-kilometre road project, awarded in 2014, began from the Southern Parkway to Ring Road II at Galadimawa, with five bridges.
According to him, the road was the only project, apart from the Apo-Karshi Road, awarded by previous administration that has not been completed by President Bola Tinubu administration.
He said that the contractor would complete the remaining six out of the 10-kilometre road and hand it over by end of December, subject to availability of funds.
The minister described the road as a “major road” that would change the landscape of the FCT, if completed, adding that talks were ongoing with Ministry of Finance to make the needed funds available.
“So we’ll continue to dialogue with the Minister of Finance to see how we’ll be able to access the funds and pay off the contractor for it to finish that project.
“It is very, very key to us and that of course will change the entire landscape of the FCT.
“Apo-Karshi Road awarded in 2010 is almost completed. We were there yesterday,” he said.
Wike said that completing the projects would fulfill Tinubu’s promise to complete all projects awarded by precious administrations from 2010 to 2023.
“It will be a remarkable achievement for this administration to finish all projects awarded by previous administration so that we don’t have abandoned projects everywhere.
“So, it’s a good development for us, continuity. So we’re happy with what we’ve done,” Wike said.
The minister also inspected the ongoing construction of two service carriageways of the Southern Parkway, spanning from Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II.
The Southern Parkway serves as one of the most essential transportation corridors within Abuja’s southern development axis, linking multiple dense residential districts across Phases I to IV of the Federal Capital City.
“You know, this road was flagged-off during the inauguration of projexts to celebrate Tinubu’s third year in office. We have to come and see what they’ve done.
“The contractor promised to hand over the project by end of December and I believe them,” he said.
Reacting to Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers recent declaration that he has returned to the Rainbow Coalition and pledged complete loyalty to Tinubu’s re-election, Wike said “there is no sin in politics.
“If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that. What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and make the right decision”.
The minister said he has welcomed Fubara back into the political fold, insisting that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.
Wike said Fubara’s decision to publicly align with his political camp was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” he said.
Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has said President Bola Tinubu will soon announce salary increment for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
In a statement by his media aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister said the move is part of the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to improving troop welfare and rewarding their sacrifices to the nation.
He recalled previous welfare benchmarks, noting that military pay was successfully raised from N49,000 to N100,000 during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff.
General Musa stressed that active steps are currently underway to secure an even better package for the troops.
“I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving N100,000. When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving N49,000.
About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to N100,000, and that was achieved. We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again,” Musa stated.
News
After 12years abandonment: Tinubu begins work on Nnamdi Azikiwe road linking GEJ road in FCT(Video)
This Road with two Interchange (Bridge) linking Nnamdi Azikiwe Road (to Area 1 and Apo), Goodluck Jonathan Road (to Galadimawa) was awarded in December 2014.
12 years after, the government of President Tinubu has commenced work on the road project and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was at the site today to see things for himself.
Photos: Wike Promises To Deliver Abandoned Goodluck Jonathan Way, Other New Roads In December
Further plans underway to increase salaries of military personnel -Defence Minister, Musa
After 12years abandonment: Tinubu begins work on Nnamdi Azikiwe road linking GEJ road in FCT(Video)
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