Can Nigeria stop bandits from exploiting Zamfara’s minerals?

Zamfara State is one of Nigeria’s minerally-rich states with huge deposits of gold, copper and lithium. In the same vein, the state has, over the years, become one of the most insecure in the country, where illegal mining has become intricately linked with banditry, a form of organised crime involving armed groups engaged in cattle rustling, kidnapping, and violent attacks on communities. As a result, these resources have become a double-edged sword, attracting illegal artisanal miners and criminal groups who exploit the minerals for profit with the extensive participation of thousands of ordinary people seeking livelihood. These mine labourers are made to work in often unsafe and exploitative conditions rife with intimidation by the armed groups.

In 2019, the Nigerian federal government imposed a ban on mining in the state as part of efforts to address rising insecurity. Two years later, this was followed by the imposition of a no-fly zone over the state. Authorities believed that illegal mining fuelled insecurity and that illegally mined gold was being ferried out of the state using private aircraft, with proceeds used to smuggle in weapons.

However, the policy faced immediate challenges. Bandits maintained control over mining sites, making it nearly impossible for government officials to enforce the ban. Community members involved in artisanal mining told Good Governance Africa (GGA) that the presence of armed groups at these sites remained largely unchallenged by security forces. This undermined the effectiveness of the ban, leaving a significant gap in resource governance.

Ineffective ban

Data from the Nigeria Security Tracker, a Council of Foreign Relations project, on security outcomes during the ban reveal its limited success. In the period from 2015 to 2019, before the ban was introduced, there were 2,247 reported deaths linked to insecurity in Zamfara. In the four years following the ban, this figure rose to 6,349 deaths—a staggering 183% increase. Many incidents go unreported due to the state’s remote areas, likely understating the figures. However, the available data shows that the ban failed to reduce violence and instead coincided with rising insecurity. Several factors contributed to this failure.

Firstly, the ban disrupted the livelihoods of many local communities who depended on artisanal mining for survival. With their farmlands either taken over by bandits or rendered inaccessible due to fear of attacks, mining became their only viable source of income. This inadvertently pushed more people into illegal mining activities, further empowering bandits who controlled these operations and exploited the people. Bandits leveraged the proceeds from illegal mining to smuggle arms and recruit members, including individuals from across Nigeria’s borders. Rather than weakening the bandits, the ban unintentionally strengthened their financial base, exacerbating insecurity in the state.

Secondly, the government’s inability to enforce the ban left mining sites in the hands of criminal groups. This was confirmed by the government when the solid minerals minister, Dele Alake, announced lifting the ban in December 2024. “The previous ban, intended to address security concerns linked to illegal mining and banditry, inadvertently allowed illegal miners to exploit our resources,” the minister stated. Community members have informed GGA that despite lifting the ban, mining sites are still controlled by bandits.

High-level official complicity contributes to illicit mining and insecurity. Addressing this requires structural reforms, including constitutional changes to involve state authorities in mineral sector regulation and mine development alongside federal and private sector participation. GGA-Nigeria Executive Director Dr Ola Bello made this a key proposal at the 2024 Nigeria Mining Week summit in Abuja.

Rejig policy with fresh innovations

The minister cited the state’s “significant security improvements” as the reason for lifting the ban. He also stated the government’s resolve to harness the state’s mineral wealth for national economic growth through the introduction of “policies to revitalise the mining sector, consolidate reforms, and create a more favourable investment environment.” While this decision holds promise, it also poses risks if not accompanied by robust measures to address the root causes of illegal mining and banditry.

To ensure the success of this policy shift, the government must adopt a comprehensive approach focusing on security, regulation, and community engagement.

Strengthening security at mining sites is crucial to preventing bandits from regaining control. This requires deploying specialised security forces, enhancing surveillance with modern technology such as drones and satellite imagery, and fostering collaboration with local communities. Additionally, the government must establish a robust regulatory framework by conducting a census of mining sites, registering artisanal miners, and implementing transparent tracking of mineral extraction and sales to curb smuggling. Collaborations with private sector stakeholders and international partners can provide technical expertise, funding, and best practices to modernise Nigeria’s mining sector, which currently contributes less than 1% to the country’s official economic output.

Addressing economic vulnerabilities is equally important, as mining communities in Zamfara rely on the sector for their livelihoods. To ensure their economic stability while curbing illegal activities, the federal government should work with the state government to provide more employment opportunities in regulated mining operations, invest in alternative livelihoods, such as agriculture and small-scale industries, to reduce dependency on mining, introduce community development programmes that address education, healthcare, and infrastructure needs, all of which bring government closer to the people and prevent recruitment by both criminal gangs and violent extremists.

Promoting environmental and health standards should be part of responsible mining, prioritising the health and well-being of miners and local communities. The government should enforce environmental regulations, ensuring that mining activities do not lead to health hazards like lead poisoning, soil degradation, water pollution, or other ecological harm.

In conclusion, the lifting of the mining ban in Zamfara State marks a critical juncture in Nigeria’s efforts to address insecurity and harness its mineral wealth for economic prosperity. While the ban’s failure underscores the complexity of the challenges involved, it also offers valuable lessons for future interventions. By prioritising security, regulation, and community welfare, the government can create a sustainable framework for mining that benefits Nigeria while preventing bandits from exploiting its resources.