The Kebbi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Mararrabar Birnin Yauri gold mining site in Ngaski Local Government Area, citing growing tension over illegal mining and unresolved disputes involving local communities.

Governor Nasir Idris issued the directive on Friday during an unscheduled inspection of the site, following reports of conflicts between local residents and agents of the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (PAGMI).

Security personnel have since been deployed to take control of the area, with the governor stating that the site will remain closed until a peaceful resolution is reached between the state government and PAGMI.

The visit included briefings from key stakeholders, including PAGMI representative Musa Adamu Dantata, Kebbi State Commissioner for Mining Garba Hassan Warrah, Managing Director of the Kebbi Mining Development Agency Abdullahi Buhari, Ngaski Local Government Chairman Maniru Abubakar, and State Assembly member Adamu Muhammad Birnin-Yauri.

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Governor Idris emphasised that mining activities in Kebbi must be fully regulated by the state, noting that while the state sees little direct benefit from mining operations, the host communities deserve to be prioritized, respected, and included as stakeholders.

“We are not benefiting from these activities, yet our people are being marginalised. This is unacceptable,” the governor stated.

He directed the Ministry of Mining to urgently compile a statewide register of all individuals, companies, and organizations holding licenses to mine gold and other solid minerals within Kebbi’s borders.

Governor Idris also raised concerns over the growing risks of unregulated mining, referencing a recent fatal clash at the Yauri site that was reportedly linked to illegal operations.

As part of efforts to ease tensions and promote dialogue, he announced the release of about 50 detained youths connected to the conflict, following an out-of-court settlement brokered between community leaders and government representatives.