News
NEITI Calls for Creation of Special Squadron for Mining Sites
NEITI Calls for Creation of Special Squadron for Mining Sites
By: Michael Mike
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonnaya Orji has called for the creation of special squadron to ward off threat and insecurity at various mining sites in Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa.
In his keynote address at the gathering of stakeholders from different mining communities in West Africa to deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that are confronting mining activities in the region organized by the international Non-governmental Organisation (INGO), Global Rights and Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), Orji said there is need for the creation of a special squadron for the mining sector to fight insecurity and other issues affecting the mining district.
Orji while noting that Africa is blessed with abundant mineral resources, ranging from gold and diamonds to oil and gas, added that “these resources hold the promise of transformation, the potential to elevate the lives of our people, and to power the development of our nations”.
He however expressed concern that the communities where these resources are gotten from are often left vulnerable and continue to face several security challenges.
He said: “The challenges faced by these mining host communities need urgent resolutions. There is a need for collaboration with security agencies and mining host communities to help curb insecurity in the mining sector.
“It is also the responsibility of the government to ensure that the wealth derived from our minerals is utilised for the common good, and are equitably shared among our people, the environment is protected for generation to come and that the human rights of the people are well protected. “
Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, who hailed the enthusiasm of the stakeholders for embracing the ideas and proposing many pathways to achieving the roadmap, said Nigeria government shall continue to ensure good business and security for mining host communities by ensuring policy consistency and adequate security.
While commending Global Rights for continuous work in protecting and advocating for marginalized communities, the Minister charged the stakeholders to be guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and shared responsibility.
The international Non-governmental Organisation (INGO), Global Rights and Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) who organized the gathering expressed worry over the growing challenges facing mining host communities in West Africa, insisting that the troubled communities need to come together, deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that they are confronted with.
Global Rights in conjunction with Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) have gathered the stakeholders in Abuja for the 2023 West African Mining Host Communities’, called INDABA.
The West African Mining Host Communities INDABA is a Natural Resource Governance Summit that provides a critical platform for Mining Host Communities in West Africa to engage and have critical conversations on strengthening safeguards for the sustainability of mining host communities in the subregion.
Speaking at the conference, the Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said the conference is aimed at bringing together the host communities to deliberate and find solutions to the common challenges that they are confronted with as West Africans.
“It’s a platform for an open and inclusive dialogue where ideas, experiences and solutions are shared collectively.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the wealth of West Africa’s minerals benefits the many, rather than the few and that becomes a catalyst for peace, development, and progress” She said.
A communique issued at the end of the conference stated that sustainable West African Regional Policy Initiatives must reflect the United Nations Guiding
Principles of protect, respect and access to remedies.
It also highlighted that the sub-region must expedite processes to adapt National Action Plans on Business
and Human Rights.
The conference pointed out that policies on water management, and sustainable resource management should be coherent
with climate-smart mining as an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practice in the mining industry in Africa.
NEITI Calls for Creation of Special Squadron for Mining Sites
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil banditry, search for kidnapped woman in Kankara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with police and Civilian Watch (Cwatch) patrols, are conducting a manhunt for suspected bandits who kidnapped a woman and rustled livestock in Tsauni Village, Kankara LGA in Katsina.
The troops responded when armed bandits had invaded the village, abducted Asiya Ghali, 28, and stole several sheep.
Troops and joint security teams quickly mobilized, blocked all escape routes, and launched a sustained search operation.
Efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators, rescue the kidnapped woman, and recover the stolen livestock.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil banditry, search for kidnapped woman in Kankara
JTF repel bandits’ attack in Benue, arrest two suspects
By: Zagazola Makama
OPS Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), has repelled an attack by suspected armed bandits in Yonov Ward, Logo Local Government Area, arresting two suspects and recovering a motorcycle.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 10:20 a.m. on Feb. 23, when the Commander, OPS Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF), alongside personnel on special duty and the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), responded to a distress call that armed bandit herdsmen were destroying farms and advancing towards the community.
The team reportedly moved to the area to effect arrests but came under gunfire from the bandits, leading to a gun duel. The police, however, overpowered the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee into the bush and abandon a Honda motorcycle, which was recovered at the scene.
Two suspects were arrested during the operation. According to police, the suspects claimed they had purchased the disputed land from a notorious bandit identified as Abagu at an undisclosed sum.
Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects, while investigation into the incident continues.
JTF repel bandits’ attack in Benue, arrest two suspects
One killed, four injured as bandits attack traders in Katsina-Ala in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits on motorcycles on Tuesday attacked traders along Tavachan on their way to Tor-Donga Market in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue, killing one person and injuring four others.
Sources said that at about 8:00 a.m. that the assailants had opened fire on the traders, injuring some and robbing others of their money.
Security forces were swiftly mobilized to the scene, while the injured victims were rushed to General Hospital, Katsina-Ala, for treatment. One of the victims, Sunday Kwaghkaa, 40, was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary.
Police recovered 12 expended machine gun shells and 12 expended AK-47 rifle shells from the scene of the attack.
Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice, while investigation into the incident continues.
One killed, four injured as bandits attack traders in Katsina-Ala in Benue
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA foil banditry, search for kidnapped woman in Kankara
JTF repel bandits’ attack in Benue, arrest two suspects
One killed, four injured as bandits attack traders in Katsina-Ala in Benue
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