Niger: NSCDC warns of renewed illegal mining and calls for legislation

Niger State NSCDC Commandant Abdulhamid Salisu Kabara says illegal miners have resumed operations in large numbers after 34 miners died, allegedly forcing residents from their homes to reach mining sites. During a visit to State Assembly Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji in Minna, he urged lawmakers to pass a law against illegal mining and warned of another security crisis. Kabara also pledged to strengthen discipline and professionalism in the corps, while Sarkindaji urged him to rebuild public confidence after the miners died in NSCDC custody. The Speaker acknowledged that mining is a federal responsibility but said the state must protect communities and that mining should not begin without host-community consent.