Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has attributed the worsening insecurity in Shiroro and Munya local government areas in the state to the activities of illegal miners.
The governor, who disclosed this to journalists shortly after launching the education scholarship for children of fallen soldiers in Abuja, organised by the late Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru Foundation, said the state was collaborating with the Nigerian army to enforce a ban on illegal mining in the state.
He averred that criminal activities associated with terrorism were fueled by huge amounts of money made through mining, saying that henceforth, the ban on illegal mining will be decisive.
Governor Bago told newsmen that he has had a discussion with the Chief of Army Staff on collaboration with the state taskforce to bring an end to illegal mining in the state and expressed hope that the menace will stop.
"The activities of artisanal mining have caused the loss of lives, which we are all regretting. The Shiroro and Munya local governments are worse hit by insecurity, and these are the issues that are bringing about this worsening insecurity.
"We have stopped illegal mining for a long time; we have a taskforce, and we're working with the Nigerian army. We just had a discussion with Nigeria's army chief on certain collaborations we need to do to enforce this order," he said. 
The governor expressed optimism that partnering with the Nigerian Army would strengthen the task force established to execute the ban on illegal mining in the state.
Recall that a mining site in Galkogo community in Shiroro local government area of the state collapsed recently, and many people were trapped.