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Plateau Govt Defends Mining Suspension, Cites Rising Social Vices and Environmental Damage

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Plateau State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Sylvanus Dongtoe, has called on citizens to support the government’s decision to suspend mining activities in the state, emphasizing the need to reposition the sector for coordinated and sustainable operations.

He said the indiscriminate mining in the state was breeding social vices that should stop.

Speaking in his office in Jos during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Chairman Polycarp Auta, Dongtoe highlighted the negative social and environmental impact of indiscriminate mining, citing that apart from the large-scale environmental degradation, many students have abandoned schools to engage in illegal mining activities.

Among other things, he said, “This issue of mining, I want to use this opportunity also to appeal to you. The intention of the government is not to punish any person. It’s not to subject the citizen of the State to hardship, but rather, to reposition the State such that it would be a place that is envied, where people come in for legitimate activities.

“But when the Governor signed Executive Order 001, 2025 suspending mining activities, you can see that a lot of people, particularly the political class, are taking it to be like a political feud, castigating the government. Help to enlighten the public on why the government had to take that decision.

“It’s quite unfortunate that our youths these days, some schools had to be closed because the pupils abandoned schools for mining. In construction, you rarely find artisans because they have gone for mining. They are no longer even farming. What happens if the tin ceases? Somebody in 300L had to abandon his school to go for mining.

“There is the issue of sexual harassment and whatnot, unwanted pregnancy, women moving out of their husbands’ houses, chasing after the miners. You know how these things will not help us. I think it sends a negative picture about Plateau State.”

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Bandits invade Plateau village, kill resident

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Bandits have attacked and killed Shedrack Dalyop, a 36-year-old resident of Kuru district, at Sabon Gidan Kanar in the Gyel area of Jos South LGA of Plateau.

According to Rwang Tengwong, spokesman for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, the deceased was killed on Saturday, while his remains were discovered on Sunday morning.

“Yesterday evening. The corpse was discovered this morning after the other person who sustained injuries established communication with his community,” he said.

He stated that Mang Davou of Gyel district was wounded during the attack.

According to him, the BYM condemned the attack, which resulted in the death of Mr Dalyop and the injury of Mr Davou.

“This incident occurred barely days after a similar attack in the same area that claimed one life and left another person hospitalised, underscoring the growing insecurity confronting residents of the community,” he said.

Mr Tengwong urged Operation Enduring Peace and other security agencies to immediately investigate the attack and arrest the perpetrators, adding that the suspects should be brought to justice.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Mr Dalyop and prayed for the speedy recovery of Mr Davou.

Alfred Alabo, the police spokesperson in Plateau, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



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FCCPC denies a hand in the reported airtime credit overhaul

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has denied reports that it secured presidential approval to restructure Nigeria’s airtime credit market and allow new operators to join the sector.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ondaje Ijagwu, the commission’s spokesperson, disclosed that the agency played no part in the development as alleged.

“The commission wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of, and was not involved in the claims attributed to it in the report.”

FCCP’s reaction comes on the heels of claims that President Bola Tinubu has given the go-ahead to plans to open the market to nine Nigerian fintech firms as part of the administration’s Nigeria First policy.

The reports said the push would expand participation in a sector largely dominated by telecommunications operators and their partners, and could play a big role in reducing capital flight.

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The reports also estimated that the market is worth about ₦3 trillion annually.
The FCCPC, however, did not comment on the estimated market size or the companies mentioned in the reports.

The commission also reiterated that the implementation of the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 remains suspended.

ALSO READ: FCCPC seals Ochacho Real Estate, TI’Bilon Construction offices

According to the FCCPC, the suspension followed an interim injunction granted by the Federal High Court in Lagos on 15 April in a suit filed by the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN).

Mr Ijagwu said the commission remains bound by the court order pending the determination of the suit.

“As a law-abiding public institution, FCCPC remains bound by the court order to suspend enforcement of the regulation pending the determination of the substantive case by the court, which has been fixed for July 20, 2026, for further hearing,” he said.

He emphasised that the commission would steadfastly follow all lawful procedures related to the matter while fully complying with the court’s directives.


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