Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase said illegal mining activities is responsible for the alarming activities of banditry in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

He urged his constituents to expose the criminal elements who are wrecking havoc on the innocent villagers.

Wase disclosed this while briefing Journalists in Jos and said government is aware of its responsibility of protecting lives and properties and it will not fail the citizens in that regards.

He maintained that the banditry activities has perished several lives and properties and forced several households to flee their homes for fear of dead.

“We are worried over the destruction of lives and property in my constituency and we are doing our best to address the situation.

“The primary role of any government is to protect lives and property and when we fail to do that, then we have failed in our responsibility. I want to assure our people that we are conscious of our responsibility and we will not fail the people.”

Wase noted that the security challenges in the area exist due to colonial mining activities where people from different parts of the country settled.

” If you recalled sometime back, I moved a motion in the floor of the House, calling the attention of the then government regarding the activities of miners in my constituency but I am happy today that I have been vindicated by the present position of the Federal Government in terms of asking for the closure of anywhere there is illegal mining.

“I want to say that the root of every bandit and banditry activities that are now happening in my own constituency has linkage with people that are coming for mining.”

He encouraged the villagers not to be tired of reporting to the appropriate authority security intelligence in their disposal for swift action against the bandits.