Hobnob News
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar, has sounded the alarm over the growing threat of lead poisoning in Zamfara State, warning that unchecked mining activities could soon turn the state into a public health disaster zone.
Speaking on Thursday at the university’s maiden seminar organised by its Centre for Environmental Research and Sustainability, Abubakar presented a paper titled “From Gold to Poison”, in which he described the situation as “a ticking time bomb.”
According to him, the abundance of gold and other minerals has drawn thousands of both legal and illegal miners to virtually every part of the state, significantly increasing the risk of widespread lead contamination.
“Many people have abandoned their businesses and farming for gold mining because it is more lucrative,” he said. “Farming activities are now severely affected, with cotton sales in our ginneries almost non-existent. This has contributed to the closure of all textile industries in the state.”
The Vice Chancellor warned that even children of school age are abandoning education to work in the mines, heightening the risk of exposure to toxic substances. “If urgent action is not taken, Zamfara could be declared a danger zone for lead poisoning,” he cautioned, recalling past incidents where many children died or were left physically deformed due to lead contamination.
Abubakar further revealed that despite previous government bans, over 100,000 artisanal miners, alongside licensed companies, remain active in the state. He also linked banditry to gold mining, alleging that some influential individuals employ armed groups to displace locals and gain access to gold deposits.
“You hardly hear of miners being attacked, despite the persistent killings and kidnappings. This suggests a level of collaboration between miners and bandits,” he claimed.
In response, the Managing Director of the Zamfara State Mineral Development Company, Nasir Alhassan, said the state government would take measures to address both the lead poisoning crisis and insecurity. He added that plans were being considered to establish a dedicated lead poisoning control centre at the Federal University Gusau.
