ALIA WARNS BENUE COMMUNITIES AGAINST ILLEGAL MINING

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has warned communities and traditional rulers against engaging in illegal mining activities, urging them to protect the state’s natural resources and ancestral lands.
Alia cautioned residents against selling or giving out community lands for illegal mining, stressing that such activities could create serious environmental and security challenges.
The governor called on traditional rulers and community leaders to remain vigilant and work with government authorities to prevent illegal miners from operating in their areas.
He also linked illegal mining to growing insecurity, warning that uncontrolled mining activities could provide opportunities for criminal elements to operate within communities.
Alia urged residents to report suspicious mining activities to the appropriate authorities and cooperate with security agencies to protect their communities.
The governor said the state government would continue to take measures to regulate mining activities and ensure that Benue’s mineral resources are developed responsibly.
He stressed that the state’s natural resources should benefit the people and contribute to development rather than become a source of environmental degradation and insecurity.
Alia further appealed to traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the dangers of illegal mining and discourage the indiscriminate exploitation of community lands.