Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has warned traditional rulers against granting mining approvals in their communities without government consent. He said the state would not tolerate illegal mining and directed that anyone found defying the order would face prosecution.
The governor issued the caution during a thanksgiving event for his Kwande Local Government Area appointees, stressing that only the state government has the authority to regulate mining activities. Kwande is one of Benue’s major mining hubs.
Governor Alia also announced plans to construct more roads in Kwande to ease the movement of people and farm produce, describing infrastructure development as central to his administration’s goals.
On security, the governor pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Government and local authorities to expel armed herders from the state. He warned that anyone aiding criminals or conspiring with violent groups would be regarded as enemies of the people.
