The Federal Government has officially lifted the five-year ban on mining activities in Zamfara State, citing improved security and the potential for economic growth in the mineral-rich region.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, through his representative, Segun Tomori, during a press briefing in Abuja.

“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state,” the minister said in a statement.

Security Gains and Economic Promise

The ban, imposed in 2019 due to escalating insecurity and illegal mining, was described by Alake as a necessary but temporary measure to protect lives and resources. However, he noted that the ban inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners, leading to resource plundering.

Alake praised recent security advancements under the Tinubu administration, highlighting the neutralization of notorious bandit commanders and other strategic wins, including the capture of Halilu Sububu, one of the state’s most wanted criminals.

“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity,” Alake said.

He added that with the restoration of mining activities, Zamfara’s mineral wealth—ranging from gold and lithium to copper—could now be harnessed under strict regulation to contribute significantly to national revenue.

Boosting Regulation and Combating Illegal Mining

The minister emphasized that lifting the ban would pave the way for better regulation and monitoring of mining activities. This, he said, would enable authorities to tackle illegal mining more effectively and ensure Nigeria benefits fully from Zamfara’s mineral resources.

“By reopening this sector, we are prioritizing not only revenue generation but also intelligence gathering to curb illegal mining,” he said.

Addressing Controversies

Alake also addressed concerns surrounding Nigeria’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with France, which had sparked controversy. He clarified that the agreement focused solely on capacity building and technical support for the mining sector.

“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals. Similar agreements have been signed with Germany and Australia. Misinformation about ceding control over our mineral resources is uncalled for,” Alake said.

Press as Partners in Progress

Commending the media for their role in promoting reforms in the mining sector, Alake urged continued collaboration to drive transparency and attract foreign investments.

The death toll from a tragic stampede in Anambra State has risen to 22, local authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesman Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the police have commenced an investigation into the incident. Ikenga also stated that several injured victims are receiving medical treatment.

“The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, visited the hospital where the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred on December 21, 2024, in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, are receiving treatment,” Ikenga said. “Regrettably, 22 people lost their lives. The CP commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and wishes the injured a quick recovery.”

The stampede occurred on Saturday during a rice distribution event at Amaranta Stadium in Okija. The event, organized by the Obijackson Foundation, was intended to provide relief to residents.

A Pattern of Tragedy

The Anambra incident follows a series of similar tragedies across the country. Earlier in December, a stampede at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, claimed 10 lives. A few days prior, a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, ended in disaster, with 35 children losing their lives and six others critically injured.

The string of incidents has raised serious concerns about crowd management during large-scale events in Nigeria. Prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, have called for urgent reforms.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I receive yet again the heartbreaking news of lives lost in tragic stampedes, this time in Okija, Anambra, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory,” Atiku wrote on his X handle late Saturday. “It is imperative that those entrusted with the organization of such large-scale events take the utmost care in crowd management, prioritizing the safety and well-being of all participants.”

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, lamented the incidents as a reflection of the rising desperation caused by hunger in Nigeria.

“I am deeply saddened and distressed by the tragic loss of lives in desperate searches for food,” Obi wrote on X. “While I will not cast blame, I appreciate the organizers of these events for their kind gestures. However, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.”

A Call for Reform

The recent stampedes underscore the urgent need for better planning and safety protocols at public events. Experts and stakeholders are calling on authorities and event organizers to adopt stringent crowd management strategies to prevent future tragedies.

Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to mourn their loss, as the nation grapples with the deepening economic challenges that have driven many to desperation.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed media reports suggesting that the recently resuscitated old Port Harcourt refinery has been shut down, labeling such claims as baseless and misleading.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, is “fully operational.”

The facility resumed operations two months ago after years of inactivity.

“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false, as the refinery is fully operational, as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC,” Soneye said.

He added that preparations for the day’s loading operation are currently underway, emphasizing that the public should disregard the claims.

“Members of the public are advised to discountenance such reports as they are the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip off Nigerians,” Soneye stated.

The old Port Harcourt refinery is part of the country’s efforts to revive its local refining capacity. Three years ago, the Federal Government approved $1.5 billion to rehabilitate the plant, which was initially shut down in 2019 due to operational challenges.

Despite being one of the largest oil producers globally, Nigeria has long relied on fuel imports to meet its domestic needs, swapping crude oil for petrol and other refined products. This dependency, coupled with government subsidies, has strained the nation’s foreign exchange reserves.

The recent return of the Port Harcourt refinery to operation follows the commissioning of the Dangote refinery, which began petrol production in September 2024. These developments are expected to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports and address long-standing issues in the petroleum sector.