Bauchi Governor Orders Military Crackdown on Illegal Mining as Allegations of Terror Financing Mount

Governor warns traditional rulers and local officials over land allocations; analysts say mining cash and political networks must be investigated together.

By Izhi Bitrus Adamu

BAUCHI STATE — Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has ordered a military crackdown on illegal mining, saying the activity finances banditry.

“Illegal mining activities finances banditory,” Governor Mohammed said during the State Security Council meeting held at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Bauchi on October 15.

Bauchi, a northeastern state about 385 kilometres northeast of Abuja, has more than 20 minerals in commercial quantities.

“Nobody would be spared regardless of status or connection,” the governor said at the meeting, according to the Government House statement.

He said illegal mining supports criminal networks and “undermines public security,” the statement added.

The governor also warned traditional rulers and local government officials against illegal land allocation, the statement said.

He said two new military battalions approved for Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa counties (Local Government Areas) will be used to strengthen operations across forest reserves and border communities, the statement said.

Mining Background

The main minerals are limestone, gypsum and kaolin for cement. Lead-zinc is mined in Alkaleri and Gwana. Tin, columbite with lithium and gold are found in Toro and Dass. The state also has amethyst, sapphire, uranium and granite.

Tin was produced by natives of what are now Bauchi/Plateau States as far back as 1884. Mining in Rishi, Toro dates back to 1929.

Terror Finance Cases Linked to Bauchi Government

The order comes as his administration faces allegations of terror financing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Bauchi Commissioner for Finance Yakubu Adamu and three other officials before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja over transactions totalling about $9.7 million, according to WikkiTimes report.

According to the charge sheet cited by The Free Library, the defendants allegedly conspired to provide $2.3 million for the benefit of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore executive Bello Bodejo and persons associated with him, pursuant to approvals granted by the Executive Governor of Bauchi State.

Another count alleges Commissioner Yakubu Adamu received $6.95 million in cash outside a financial institution in 2024, according to Radio Nigeria.

Separately, pressure mounts on Bauchi South Senator Shehu Buba Umar over secret videos and whistleblower claims alleging links with armed bandits, according to TruthNigeria.

A report published September 2, 2026 alleged the senator accommodated bandit-linked individuals at his Abuja residence, according to Atlantic Digest. The senator denied wrongdoing and told Atlantic Digest the claim is politically motivated.

Bauchi As Base

On February 22, 2026, more than 100-armed men stormed villages in Gwana District, Alkaleri county, according to TruthNigeria.

On October 5, 2026, Truth Nigeria issued a security alert that over 200-armed militants deployed from Bauchi, Nasarawa and Kaduna to areas south of Jos. TruthNigeria

The governor said the new battalions will deploy in forest reserves that border Plateau and Gombe, according to Echo Express.

U.S. Congress Flags Illegal Mining

The U.S. Congress in H.R. 7457, Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, flagged illegal mining as a terror financing source, saying Chinese illegal mining operations pay protection money to militias, according to Tribune Online.

Kidnapping

“We cannot sleep in our villages again. Bandits come to the farm and in our houses at night,” Murtala Azi, a resident of Angware village on the Plateau-Bauchi border, told Truth Nigeria in a phone interview on October 20, 2026.

Experts

“Illegal mining is a cash economy. It is hard to trace. Bandits use it to buy arms,” Godwin Okon, PhD, peace and conflict resolution expert based in Jos, told Truth Nigeria.

“Mining sites are in remote forests. These forests are also hideouts,” Okon told Truth Nigeria.

On the EFCC case, Okon told Truth Nigeria: “The EFCC arraigned Bauchi Finance Commissioner over $9.7 million. Illegal mining cash in the same forest belt could be a second channel.”

“Secret videos and whistleblower claims linked the senator to armed groups. He denies it as politically motivated. Evidence must be verified,” Barr Paul Zaruma Esq, a current affairs analyst, told Truth Nigeria.

“The governor said nobody would be spared. He must publish names of sites sealed,” Zaruma told Truth Nigeria.

Izhi Bitrus Adamu is a conflict reporter for Truth Nigeria

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