ILO Promotes Elimination of Child Labour in Mining

By: Michael Mike

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Builds the Capacities of Stakeholders on Occupational Safety and Health and Elimination of Child Labour in the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) Supply Chains in Niger and Osun States.

In the effort to combat child labour in Nigeria’s artisanal small-scale gold mining supply chains, the ILO ACCEL Africa Project (Accelerating Action for the Elimination of Child Labour in Supply Chains in
Africa), held significant workshops from February 18 – 27, 2025, in Niger and Osun States.

The workshops aim was to empower Stakeholders and representatives from Government, Employers, Workers organisations and community leaders, to eliminate child labour and uphold best
practices in OSH in the ASGM sector in Niger and Osun States.

In addition, Members of Community
Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CCLMCs) in the States were equipped with the necessary skills and tools to enforce Community Action Plans (CAPs), monitor and report on child labour cases, and
carry out interventions effectively.

The Director, ILO Country Office, Dr. Vanessa Phala, represented by the National Project Coordinator of the ACCEL Africa Phase II Project, Mrs. Celine Oni, stated that the objective of the workshop is to
enhance capacities of stakeholders and institutions involved in the fight against child labour.

Participants discussed and demonstrated skills and knowledge to effectively develop, advocate and implement policies and strategies aimed at eradicating child labour.

The ACCEL Africa project firstly, is working with relevant stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and members of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child labour. The projects outcome is to strengthen institutions to develop and implement policies for the eradication of child labour in the cocoa and ASGM sector.

The second outcome is to address the root causes of child labour through innovative and evidence-based solutions in the supply chains (cocoa and ASGM) are institutionalized. This outcome targets
key thematic areas such as social protection, social finance, occupational safety, health and youth employment, promotion of smooth transitions from school to decent work. “The Durban Call to
Action has emphasized the need to tackle root causes of child labour, which include poverty, lack of access to social protection and Health insurance coverage for the people”.

There is ongoing research by the Project on social protection modalities and coverage, youth employment opportunities in Nigeria. It is expected that the research results and findings would guide the interventions in Niger and Osun.

The Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) in Niger State, Hauwa Zakariyya, said “occupational safety and health is everyone’s business, and it should never be underestimated. When safety is neglected, accidents are bound to occur. In every respectable
workplace, safety measures are observed to prevent casualties while performing our duties.”

“And that is why we find it very, very important that ACCEL Africa project is focusing on artisanal mining to prevent incidents as what occurred in the Kuchiko community, where accidents resulted in
many casualties, particularly involving children. We believe it’s essential to educate miners to enhance safety and avoid such tragedies in the future”.

On his part, the State Controller for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Osun State, Mr. Solomon Ayinde Alabi, expressed his gratitude for Osun State’s inclusion in the Phase II project, noting that although the state was not fully integrated in Phase I, it would now benefit from the
experiences gained in other regions such as Ondo and Niger States, where the project has already shown positive outcomes.

“I am aware that Osun State was not fully integrated in the Phase I of the project, I want to thank the team for the full integration of Osun State into the second Phase of the project. With success reports
from Ondo and Niger States, I am sure that Osun State will equally record great successes.

“One good pointer to the impacts of the project in our state is the report coming from Ibala community. It is pleasing to report that cases of out of school children in the community has been drastically reduced to almost zero level. This is good news is credited to the activities of the CCLMC
in the community.

“I wish to remind and appeal to us as parents, guardians, and community to make the best use of this opportunity to intensify our commitment in fighting against the menace, child labour in our respective communities. We are expected to know and share the knowledge to others so that the
goal of the project can be achieved”.

As part of the workshop activity, the participants visited artisanal mining fields in their various states for onsite observations of the mining practices, noting the tools, equipment, processes and identification of inherent hazards. Additionally, they had discussion with local miners, children onsite
and other stakeholders.

During an interview with children on the field, 13 years old Lawali Yusufa from Korokwa mining field in Minna, stated that the reason why he is mining is to be able to make money. “I am working here because my parents cannot afford to sponsor me through school so, I want to make enough money so that I can start going to school just like my mates. I know that the mining field is very dangerous especially for children like me, but I still want to continue working here because it is the only way I
can make money” Lawali said.

In Idoka mining field, Osun, 11 years old Ibrahim said his dream is to become a miner when he grows up and that is why he works there as an errand boy. “I work here as an errand boy because I want to learn how to mine for gold when I grow up. Even though I’m often chased out of the field, I still insist
on returning because it is my dream,” Ibrahim said.

Meanwhile, the training participants were divided into teams for a group activity to discuss the OSH
risks at the mining site, conditions of work compared to the best practices and decent work expectations, and present what they’ve learned from the workshop.

The training initiative is expected to significantly improve the ability of these committees to act as the first line of defense in the fight against child labour in Nigeria’s cocoa and gold mining sectors.

ILO Promotes Elimination of Child Labour in Mining

Bandits Kill Police Officers, Civilians in Katsina Attack, Abduct Five in Separate Raid

…Bandits also suffered heavy losses as they fled with several dead bodies…

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed two police officers, four civilians, and abducted at least five people in two separate attacks on Unguwar Baki village and Sheme town in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the first attack occurred on February 27 at about 5:30 p.m. when about 200 heavily armed bandits stormed Unguwar Baki village, firing sporadically.

The troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, the police and the vigilante and swiftly mobilized to engage the attackers in a fierce gun battle. The security forces forced the bandits to retreat into the bush, but not before suffering casualties.

Among the fallen security personnel were Inspector Mainasara Usman (and Corporal Abubakar Iliyasu of the 27 Police Mobile Force (PMF), who were on special duty at Kadisau village. The attackers carted away one AK-47 rifle and one Type 06 rifle along with 60 rounds of live ammunition.

Additionally, four civilians, including Jibrin Yahuza, a staff member of the Katsina State Water Corporation (KSCWC), were killed in the attack. Intelligence sources revealed that the bandits also suffered heavy losses as they fled with several dead bodies on their motorcycles.

“The bandits faced strong resistance from security forces, and many of them were neutralized. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing criminals and recover the stolen rifles.” Said a Security source involved in the battle.

Five Kidnapped in Sheme Attack, Vigilante Leader Missing

In a separate attack on Sheme town, bandits armed with sophisticated weapons stormed the community around 1:50 a.m. on February 28, firing indiscriminately.

The joint operatives were again deployed to counter the attack. Upon sighting security forces, the bandits fled into the nearby Shawu Forest, taking at least five kidnapped victims with them.

During the exchange, a local vigilante member, Ado Isiyaku, 40, sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach and was rushed to Sheme Primary Health Center, where he is responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, the commander of the local vigilante group, Hassan Bajoga Sheme, 45, has been declared missing, with security forces launching a search-and-rescue operation to locate him.

Authorities have assured residents that efforts are being intensified to track down the attackers and rescue the abducted victims.

“We are actively pursuing the criminals. Additional troops have been deployed, and we will ensure these terrorists face justice.”he said.

Bandits Kill Police Officers, Civilians in Katsina Attack, Abduct Five in Separate Raid

Police, Vigilantes Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Niger, Bandits Flee

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Security forces in Niger State have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims after a swift operation by the police and local vigilantes forced armed bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the bush.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed intelligence received by the Sarkin-Pawa Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on the abduction of three individuals from Matsunta Dangunu, in Munya Local Government Area.

The victims Auwalu Usman, 30; Ya’u Aliyu, 27; and Yahuza Garba, 35 were kidnapped in the early hours of February 27, while four motorcycles were also stolen by the assailants.

Upon receiving the distress report, the DPO of Sarkin-Pawa quickly mobilized a joint team of police tactical operatives and local vigilantes to track the bandits. The security team intercepted the criminals along the Anakai exit route near Dangunu.

Sensing danger, the bandits hastily released the hostages and fled into the bush to evade capture. The three victims were safely rescued without injuries and have since been reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, security forces are intensifying efforts to recover the stolen motorcycles and track down the fleeing criminals.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to operational sensitivities said, “Our intelligence-led approach continues to yield results. The swift response of our personnel prevented these criminals from executing their plans. We will not relent until we bring them to justice.”he said.

Police, Vigilantes Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Niger, Bandits Flee