Audio By Carbonatix
The authorities in Niger state in central Nigeria have ordered the immediate suspension of all mining activities.
It comes days after gunmen launched a devastating attack on a mining site, kidnapping at least four Chinese miners and killing over 20 members of the Nigerian security forces.
Those abducted remain in captivity.
Niger state government fears some of the privately-run gold and other mines may harbour criminals, and intends now to screen mining sites state-wide.
The federal government also believes proceeds from mining may be funding some of the violent kidnapping gangs currently rife in Nigeria.
Nigeria is struggling to curb a wave of kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs - some of which have at times teamed up with Islamist extremists.
Mining activities have been suspended in some areas in the past but the measure failed to end the kidnapping crisis.
Latest Stories
-
Matthew McConaughey trademarks iconic phrase to stop AI misuse
4 hours -
Song banned from Swedish charts for being AI creation
4 hours -
Barcelona reach Copa del Rey quarter-finals
4 hours -
Players need social skills for World Cup – Tuchel
4 hours -
Labubu toy manufacturer exploited workers, labour group claims
4 hours -
Lawerh Foundation, AyaPrep to introduce Dangme-language maths module
5 hours -
US forces seize a sixth Venezuela-linked oil tanker in Caribbean Sea
5 hours -
Votes being counted in Uganda election as opposition alleges rigging
5 hours -
Ntim Fordjour accuses government of deliberate LGBT push in schools
5 hours -
National security task force storms ‘trotro’ terminals to halt illegal fare hikes
5 hours -
U.S. visa restriction development for Ghana concerning – Samuel Jinapor
5 hours -
Uganda election chief says he has had threats over results declaration
5 hours -
Quality control lapses allowed LGBT content into teachers’ manual – IFEST
5 hours -
Akufo-Addo’s name will be “written in gold” in Ghana’s history in the fullness of time – Jinapor
5 hours -
Tread cautiously about financial hedging – US-based Associate Professor to BoG
5 hours