Illegal Mining and Armed Banditry in Katsina State, Nigeria: What is their Contribution to the Heavy Metal Pollution of a Popularly Consumed Vegetable?

The health risk to the population from exposure heavy metals in an area that have witnessed a surge illegal mining activities, cattle rustling and banditry were evaluated current study. Cabbage leaves sample Makiya village, Jibia local Government area, Katsina State, Nigeria was for presence of using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. risks assessed Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) Health Risk Index (HRI)) assess possible non-carcinogenic effect Incremental Lifetime Cancer (ILCR) cancer risks. result mean concentration value metal Pb falls above Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) leafy vegetables. concentrations other including Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn Cd within permissible values associated with through consumption adults children all below 1. combined represented as HRI 1, Life both shows ILCR safety limit risk. Because analysed cabbage sample, it can be deduced vegetable is not safe consumption.