Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has raised concerns over the increasing number of school dropouts in mining communities, attributing the trend to illegal mining activities.

Speaking at a church service at the COCIN Headquarters in Jos on Sunday, Mutfwang called on community and religious leaders to collaborate with his administration to address the issue, warning that it poses a serious threat to the state’s future and values.

“We are deeply concerned over the alarming rate of school dropouts in mining communities. Recent findings revealed a drastic decline in school enrollment in areas such as Bassa, Riyom, Jos South, and Barkin Ladi,” he said.

The governor disclosed that he recently ordered a crackdown on illegal mining camps across the state, emphasizing that the move aims to protect livelihoods rather than deprive people of economic opportunities.

“The devastating consequences of illegal mining are beyond imagination. Many classrooms are virtually empty, and just last month, we uncovered cases where parents in Bassa were sending their children into child labor. We are tracking them,” he added.

Mutfwang urged community leaders to sensitize their people on the dangers of illegal mining, which not only affects education but also causes environmental hazards such as land degradation, destabilization of residential areas, and threats to government institutions.

With the governor’s renewed commitment to tackling illegal mining, attention now shifts to how effectively his administration will enforce regulations and ensure children in affected communities return to school.