The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has approved a ban on mining activities in Zamfara State to curb the rising insecurity in the State. This is even as he has declared Zamfara “a no-fly zone”.

National Security Adviser, Maj Gen, Babagana Monguno (retd) made this disclosure to State House Correspondents at the end of the over four hours National Security Council meeting presided over by President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday. He explained that all non-state actors have been placed under surveillance, warning that the Federal Government will not hesitate to use kinetic means to restore normalcy in the country.

Mongno also said defense and intelligence organisations have been directed to ensure the country does not slide into anarchy. The NSA also said Buhari has charged the new service chiefs to reclaim all areas in control by bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers.

He said, “We are not going to be blackmailed. The government has the responsibility to assert its will. Citizens can reside wherever they want to reside. Anybody who is a criminal should be brought to book. The President has also warned against ethnic profiling. We have had enough of chaos. The President has approved, based on our recommendations, the imposition and enforcement of a ban on all mining activities in Zamfara with immediate effect until further notice

“He has directed the Minister of Defence and the National Security Adviser to deploy the massive military and intelligence assets to restore normalcy to that part of the country.He has also approved that Zamfara State should be declared “a no fly zone’’ with immediate effect. Any individual that thinks he can cause disunity should have a rethink.”

Source; The Punch