Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has brought to light an illegal gold mining operation situated in a village within Zamfara state.
The human rights activist posted a compelling video showcasing workers laboring within the confines of the controversial gold mine, all while shedding crucial light on its ownership dynamics.
According to Shehu’s assertions, the unlawful gold mine is purportedly under the ownership of a retired military officer, a former governor, and a currently serving senator.
Shehu’s claims extend to the strikingly low wages received by the laborers at the site, a mere N1,000 per day. This revelation has left many questioning the conditions and circumstances surrounding the laborers, especially given the lucrative nature of gold mining.
Remarkably, Shehu also pointed out a curious aspect that has raised eyebrows – the absence of reported kidnapping incidents at the mining location.
In his words;
“ZAMFARA ILLEGAL GOLD MINING:The location is in Anka LG. Sites owned by a former governor,a retired general & a serving senator. No wonder there have never been kidnapping instances at the mining sites because they are well protected. N1000 per day per labourer. Another Militia?”.
Drawing a parallel to oil bunkering, a practice commonly linked with illicit oil trade, Shehu highlighted that the operation seems to mirror the same pattern.
Allegedly, the wealthy elite appear to be endorsing these operations, backed by the protection of criminal factions operating in the southern regions of the country.
“It is a case of oil bunkerers supported by the rich & protected by the criminal gangs in the South AND criminal GOLD stealing guaranteed by the high, powerful, and heartless elders in the North protected by paid bandits. The equation is not yet balanced, though,” he added.
However, despite the weight of these accusations, the claims made by Mahdi Shehu have yet to be substantiated by Gistreel with authoritative evidence at the time of this report.
Netizens Reactions…@fouta_djallon said; “As a mineral geologist, my team used to frequent this site many years ago. The gold deposits can feed the North for another 100 year if well managed but what do I know?”
@Landlordoflagos said: “Nigeria is like a jungle. “If one have an understanding of what people take out of this country daily, one will be amazed.”
@DeborahToluwase said; “I wish we will have a functional minister of solid minerals who will actually take this up. The gold in Zamfara if mined legally will actually attract investment and other insensitives to the country.”
@realTobiAkinbo said; “Poor people helping one man to be more wealthier to keep them in perpetual poverty. This is happening because Nigeria is not a country with government that cares.”
@Ellamadu3 said; “It is simply unbelievable. Look at the poor helping the rich. I bet you they don’t have good healthcare except for “God forbid.”.
@RashwalRashwal said; “Oil in the south us owned by all. “But the Gold in the North is owned by the state. “This is bad.”
See below;
ZAMFARA ILLEGAL GOLD MINING:The location is in Anka LG. Sites owned by a former governor,a retired general & a serving senator. No wonder there have never been kidnapping instances at the mining sites because they are well protected. N1000 per day per labourer. Another Militia? pic.twitter.com/BPL3dBzYKN
— Mahdi Shehu (@shehu_mahdi) August 26, 2023