The Nigerian government has warned illegal miners to immediately vacate all sites in Zamfara State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, gave the warning in a statement by his spokesperson, Segun Tomori.
The warning follows reports of recent lead poisoning in the Bugundu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The minister stressed that all mining activities remained suspended until the release of standard operating procedures to guide the resumption of exploration in the state.
He explained that the outbreak was evidence that traditional and local institutions had allowed illegal miners to operate in their areas, in flagrant violation of the ban on illegal mining.