The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has issued a directive for the immediate transfer of all regional, divisional, and district police commanders stationed in mining areas.
Speaking on the matter, he disclosed that he has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to enforce the directive without delay.
“I have ordered the IGP to transfer all police commanders in all mining areas and send in new ones. So if you are a regional, divisional, and district police commander serving in mining areas, you will be changed with immediate effect,” he stated.
The minister explained that the decision was necessary due to the prolonged presence of certain officers in these regions without making significant progress in addressing illegal mining. He stressed that the shake-up is part of broader measures to curb the menace.
To ensure accountability, the newly assigned officers will undergo a three-month performance review. “The new ones we are taking there will be transferred after three months if they don’t perform. We will keep making changes till we see results,” he emphasized.
Under the new policy, officers removed from their positions will be reassigned to areas without mining activities, allowing fresh personnel to take charge in the fight against illegal mining.
