House Of Representatives Sounds Alarm On Influx Of Foreign Illegal Miners In Benue, Citing Security Concerns

The House of Representatives has expressed concern about the increasing presence of both local and foreign illegal miners in Benue State…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

They warned that if this trend is not addressed, Benue may experience a situation similar to Zamfara State, where illegal gold mining exacerbated security issues, turning it into a hotspot for banditry.

The House called upon the National Security Adviser and security agencies to assess the security situation in the Middle Belt region and the Nigerian-Cameroonian border areas in Benue.

Additionally, lawmakers urged security agencies to take immediate and proactive measures to prevent the further deterioration of peace and security in the Middle Belt.

This resolution was made in response to a motion addressing the Nigeria-Cameroon refugee crisis, as well as concerns about banditry and environmental pollution caused by gold mining in Kwande Local Government of Benue State. The motion was presented during a plenary session by Terseer Ugbor.

Ugbor explained that Kwande LGA shares its borders with Cameroon to the north, Cross River to the east, and Taraba to the west.

He noted that Cameroonian refugees had been residing in the area for over five years, with their population now exceeding 12,000, as they continue to grow and integrate into Nigerian society.

The ongoing crisis between the Cameroonian military and separatist Ambazonian fighters has led to a refugee crisis at the Nigeria-Cameroon border in Kwande LGA.

Ugbor lamented the violent attacks that have plagued the local government, leaving many indigenous people either dead, seriously injured, or homeless, without access to farmlands and other means of livelihood for over a decade, particularly in the Turan and Ikyurav-ya districts.

He also highlighted the impact of illegal mining, including the infiltration of local and foreign miners, causing daily security concerns, environmental pollution, and a potential food crisis as many young people have abandoned farming for mining activities.

He warned that if this situation is left unchecked, Benue could follow in the footsteps of Zamfara State, which has faced security challenges due to illegal gold mining over the years.