The [ Zamfara State Government ](https://www.premiumtimesng.com/promoted/921661-zamfara-is-evidence-of- transformational-leadership-under-gov-lawal-says-efcc-chairman.html) has formally established a 13-person task force designed to suppress unlawful extraction operations and sanitize the solid minerals sector across the region.
Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, administered the inauguration of the newly formed body on Friday in Gusau, the state capital.
What is the mandate of the committee?
To drive its objectives, the panel is chaired by Abdulrahman Tumbido, who serves as the state’s Commissioner for Environment. The roster includes representatives drawn from various security agencies, traditional institutions, alongside relevant federal and state regulatory bodies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nakwada explained that the intervention forms a core component of the administration's broader strategy to support federal efforts in regularizing and formalizing the mineral extraction industry within the territory.
He explicitly directed the newly inaugurated group to maintain close synergy with law enforcement and local administration officials to pinpoint clandestine mining sites and document the identities of operators.
How will authorized operators be monitored?
Beyond cracking down on illicit sites, the task force is mandated to scrutinize legally registered corporate entities to verify their adherence to established operational statutes. This includes enforcing strict protocols to curb ecological degradation while upholding the safety and welfare of indigenous populations.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Tumbido assured stakeholders that the panel would operate transparently, relying on verified intelligence, strict adherence to the rule of law, and due respect for the fundamental rights and economic livelihoods of residents.
He further stressed that the committee's operational outcomes are expected to foster enduring internal security, safeguard the environment, and promote sustainable economic growth throughout the state.