The Kebbi State Government has firmly refuted allegations that it is involved in or supporting illegal mining activities within the state.
This denial came during a press conference held on Sunday by Alhaji Haliru Aliyu-Wasagu, the Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development and Mining, who labeled the reports as “fake, malicious, and a calculated attempt to distract the administration from its developmental goals.”
Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, Aliyu-Wasagu addressed claims about illegal mining in Libata, located in Ngaski Local Government Area. He stressed that the state government has consistently worked to regulate and sanitize the mining sector.
“The briefing is to categorically debunk a recent online report which falsely alleges that the Kebbi State government is supporting illegal mining activities in Libata, in the Ngaski Local Government Area,” he stated.
The commissioner highlighted that Kebbi’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development was created in 2023 under Governor Nasir Idris to boost revenue and address development issues.
He pointed to decisive actions taken by the government, including a suspension of all mining activities in September 2023. This measure was aimed at addressing irregularities such as the lack of corporate social responsibility initiatives and proper royalty payments.
According to Aliyu-Wasagu, the government has since authorized seven companies to operate in Libata under strict regulations. Procedures include registering with the state ministry, obtaining consent from local leaders, and complying with federal licensing processes.
The commissioner also clarified that a recent dispute between Three Crown Company and El-Tahdam Exploration Limited over overlapping claims in Libata is entirely a federal issue, unrelated to the state government.
