By Erewunmi Peace

A disturbing link between illegal gold mining and the arms trade is fueling the ongoing wave of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, according to multiple investigative reports.

An in-depth investigation by TheCable and Daily Trust revealed that criminal groups, particularly in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto states, are exchanging gold mined from unregulated sites for weapons, further escalating insecurity across the region.

According to findings, several bandit leaders control artisanal mining sites and reportedly earn between ₦200 million and ₦300 million weekly from gold extraction. These proceeds are either used to purchase weapons directly or traded in exchange for firearms through international smuggling routes.

Security analysts have described the trend as a major threat to national security. “The gold-for-arms trade has turned illegal mining into a weapon of war,” one expert told reporters. “It provides a steady stream of cash and materials that sustain terrorist activities in the North-West.”

Investigations show that most of the gold extracted from Zamfara and neighboring states is trafficked through informal channels to Niger, Mali, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it is sold on the black market. The funds generated are then used to acquire sophisticated weapons, including rifles, explosives, and ammunition.

Authorities say the federal government is aware of the development and has begun implementing stricter mining regulations. The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has pledged to clamp down on illegal miners and curb the activities of foreign buyers fueling the trade.

Despite ongoing military operations, the gold-for-arms network continues to undermine security efforts, sustaining violent groups that terrorize rural communities, displace residents, and disrupt economic life.

As Nigeria battles to stabilize its northern region, experts warn that ending the gold-for-arms trade is essential to achieving lasting peace.