Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has banned all illegal mining activities in Lamurde Local Government Area with immediate effect.
The ban, also comes with a stern warning, that anyone who disobeys the order, or supports violence in the area, will face government action.
Governor Fintiri, made the announcement, while receiving the preliminary report of the mediation committee, set up to resolve the long-running conflict between the Bachama and Chobo communities at the Government House Yola.
Usakutiya Dzarma reports.
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What began as a dispute between two families in Lamurde, over land for farming purposes in July 2025, snowballed into a full blown communal and tribal conflict, which has claimed scores of lives and forced many to flee their homes.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahamdu Umaru Fintiri, who has in the course of the dispute, demonstrated great commitment to the protection and security of lives and property, used the occasion to reiterate his government’s resolve to protect its people.
He emphatically declares, that anyone involved in causing or supporting the Bachama-Chobo crises, would be identified and brought to justice.
The Governor said the ban on illegal mining, is part of efforts, to address the main causes of the conflict and stop criminals, from taking advantage of the situation, while restoring order in the area.
“The illegal miners are also part of those, who are supporting this crisis, so that they can have their business to go easily and for them to go about it unchallenged.
So as I am speaking here, am banning all the illegal mining in Lamurde local government and we would scrutinize all the actions and the recommendation that you have submitted.
In the next three days, we will take action on each of them and I would work with the service commanders, to see that we put a stop to this crisis”.
Earlier, the Chair of the Mediation Committee and Paramount Ruler of Jonjo Chiefdom, Dr. Robert David Tankawa, said the committee found that disputes over land ownership, competition for natural resources, and the lack of fair traditional recognition were the major causes of the conflict. He added that illegal firearms and inciting social media posts also made the situation worse.
“The Team carried out extensive consultations with both communities and their neighbours between June 17 and June 27, 2026
We identified land ownership, resource control and the absence of inclusive traditional recognition, as the core drivers of the crisis”
Dr. Tankawa, said both communities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, showing their commitment to living together in peace. He said the committee recommended the gradual easing of the curfew, the disarmament of armed groups, reconciliation among the communities, and the rebuilding of destroyed communities.