Insecurity: Ortom suspends mining activities in Benue

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has ordered a suspension of mining activities in the state.

The Governor gave the directive on Thursday after meeting with stakeholders in the state's Kwande Local Government Area.

He noted that mining was already a threat to peace in Kwande State and Local Government Area.

The governor said that the activities of the miners had begun to pose a danger and a threat to the peace of the state.

He said the state government would set up committees at the state, local government and ward level to regulate the activities of minors.

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The governor said all legal miners will now register with the State Department of Lands, Surveys and Solid Minerals for profiling.

According to the Governor, "Recent events in Kwande Local Government Area constitute a danger and threat to peace in Kwande Local Government and the State in general and this is due to mining activities in the area .

"We know that some miners hold licenses from the federal government because it is the responsibility of the federal government to issue licenses.

"We know that some miners don't have permits, we have foreigners and natives among them.

"Due to the danger posed by mining activities in the state, we are hereby suspending all mining activities in the state, including licensed ones."