News reaching ViewpointNigeria through Weng Samuel a reliable reporter indicates that Break down of law and order threaten peace and security in Plateau South Senatorial Zone as the youths of Bashar in Wase local government area mounted illegal checkpoints to extort illicit money from miners who use the area as transit routes to convey their goods to the international market.

One of the companies, Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, a licensed mining company carrying out its solid minerals mining activities in New Zurak, a location in the same Wase local government area of Plateau State, transports its goods to various destinations using the route through Bashar.

Although checks by our correspondent confirm that Solid Unit Nigeria Limited
is operating legally in the area, the same company, according to sources in the area, has a history of mutual relations with the host community, as it has been operating a policy of community development
which sees it investing in the education, health, and other social infrastructure development of the area.

Community sources in New Zurak told our correspondent that the host community has no problems with Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, saying its activities and operations are not only known to government, but that the company has been magnanimous and responsible in terms of its community relations programmes, and wondered why the youths in Bashar which is only a transit route will choose to obstruct access and engage the company in “an unnecessary confrontation which consequences are unquantifiable for now”.

In Bashar where emotions and tension are already boiling over, a local source admitted that that some youth in the area have been fomenting trouble by engaging the solid mineral companies by raising illegal road blocks for reasons the source described as “sheer political manipulation for selfish motives by some certain individuals who want
to put their political interests above the common good of the community.

Some sources in Bashar also alleged that the youths are being misguided, misled and mobilised for such uncharitable and heinous acts by the House of Reps Member for Wase federal constituency, Hon Ahmed
Idris Maje. Although Hon Maje could not be reached on phone, the
sources called on the relevant authorities to rise to the occasion.

count | 77

Bashar youths mount illegal checkpoint to swindle miners