Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has directed security agencies to take decisive action against illegal mining, declaring that no individual should be spared, even if the offender were a member of his own family.

The governor spoke while receiving General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General W.M. Dangana, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Bauchi as part of his maiden operational tour of military formations under the division. Mohammed described illegal mining as one of the major drivers of insecurity in parts of Bauchi State, particularly Alkaleri Local Government Area, and urged the Nigerian Army to intensify intelligence gathering and coordinated operations to dismantle the criminal networks behind the activity, stressing that the fight must be pursued without fear or favour. “Even if my son is involved in illegal mining, deal with him decisively,” he said, adding that the state government would continue supporting security agencies with logistics and intelligence to ensure violators are brought to justice.

Major General Dangana commended the Bauchi State Government for its support to the Nigerian Army, particularly in providing operational infrastructure, logistics and welfare for troops, and assured the governor of the army’s commitment to strengthening security operations and protecting lives and property across the state and the North East. He appealed for continued collaboration between the military and the state government, noting that improved infrastructure, including road networks and military facilities, would enhance troop mobility and response time in tackling banditry, illegal mining and other security threats.