Notorious Nigerian Terrorist Expands Operations into Illegal Mining

Halilu Sububu, a feared terrorist in Nigeria’s North-west, notorious for mentoring bandits, has established a thriving illegal gold mining operation in the mineral-rich Bagega and surrounding communities near the Sumke forest in Zamfara State. This move reflects a concerning trend where terrorists are delving into illegal mining to sustain their activities.

Premium Times’ investigation uncovered that Sububu controls mining sites in the area, operating a camp on the western side of Bagega. The scale and profitability of his operation surpass those of other terrorists in the region, with reports of routine abductions of villagers forced to work in the mines.

Traditionally, armed bandits were hired by locals to protect mining sites, receiving payment in gold or cash. However, Sububu’s arrival has disrupted this arrangement, as terrorists now seize control of the mines, compelling locals to work for them without compensation.

Murtala Ahmad-Rufa’i, a researcher on banditry, notes, “Bandits decided to join mining to diversify, especially because most of the communities they target are no longer financially strong enough to pay ransom or levies.”

Sububu stands out as the only terrorist in the North-west known for close ties with French-speaking Jihadists in the Sahel region. Affiliated with successful gunrunning operations, he claims to be the “Leader of the terrorists operating on the northern flank.” Born in 1986, Sububu’s criminal trajectory follows his father’s footsteps, who transitioned from herding to armed robbery and gunrunning.

Witnesses reveal Sububu’s ruthless tactics, forcibly engaging villagers in mining activities, paying them meagerly, and exercising control over the entire process. The illegal mining venture appears highly lucrative, surpassing income from traditional criminal activities like kidnapping.

Sububu’s extensive network includes over 1,000 loyal fighters, and his mining operations contribute significantly to funding terrorist activities. Reports suggest he sells gold internationally, utilizing connections with fixers like Buhari and associates like Gaddafi to facilitate transactions. The sheer volume of gold mined raises questions about Sububu’s capacity to amass funds for arms and training.

Despite existing regulations, illegal mining persists due to weak enforcement. The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act outlines ownership and conditions for mining, but terrorists exploit regulatory gaps and lack of oversight. Inadequate collaboration with security agencies and the absence of monitoring exacerbate the situation.

Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, emphasizes the need for collaboration to curb insecurity and environmental hazards in the mining sector.

Efforts to seek comments from the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, remain unanswered, highlighting the challenges of addressing illegal mining at the governmental level.