FG cracks down on illegal mining, arrests two suspects in Osun

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – The Federal Government yesterday disclosed efforts to rid the mining sector of illegal activities, as it arrested two suspected illegal miners at a mining site in Osun State.

According to a statement released Sunday evening by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise, the two suspected illegal miners were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation at an illegal mining site in Osun State.

“The arrested suspects, Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both in their twenties, were casual workers.

“Both are giving useful information that would help investigators fish out their sponsors.

“The operation, which was carried out by officials from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Ogun, Oyo and Osun State offices, in collaboration with security agencies, targeted illegal artisanal mining camps at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife/Ilesa Road.

“Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the Solid Minerals task force swooped down on the suspected illegal miners. However, on sighting the joint task team, some suspects fled into nearby bushes. Two suspects were however, arrested, while mining equipment and other tools used in the illegal operation were confiscated.

“The enforcement team dismantled the major operational bases established by the illegal miners.

“Items recovered from the sites include two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other mining implements.

“The illegal site has been sealed off in accordance with the law.”

Speaking during the operation, the Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Mr. Ajibade Ganiyu, who led the team on the enforcement exercise, said the operation forms part of the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to enforce compliance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, protect the environment, safeguard lives and preserve the nation’s mineral resources.

He stressed that the Ministry, under the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Henry Dele Alake, remains committed to conducting continuous surveillance and enforcement operations across the Southwest and other parts of the country to eliminate illegal mining and restore sanity to the sector.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering determination to rid Nigeria of illegal mining and criminal elements exploiting the nation’s mineral resources.

Also speaking, the Osun State Mines Officer, Mr. Wasiu Adeboye, said the operation sends a clear message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated, warning that sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of the illicit trade would continue to face the full weight of the law.

Reacting to this incident, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said that the Tinubu administration has made the sanitisation of the mining sector a national priority through far-reaching reforms that combine stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence gathering and community engagement.

According to him, the establishment of the Mining Marshals has significantly strengthened the government’s enforcement capacity, leading to the arrest of more than 300 illegal miners and the prosecution of over 150 suspects, including foreign nationals, and to the closure of several illegal mining sites across the country.

He stated that the ongoing nationwide enforcement operations are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth benefits the country through lawful, transparent and responsible mining activities.

The Minister, who also serves as Chairman of the African Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), said Nigeria’s firm stance against illegal mining reflects the growing continental resolve to promote responsible mineral governance, curb illicit exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources and maximise value addition for sustainable economic development.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents in mining communities to support the Federal Government’s efforts by refusing to harbour or shield illegal miners and by providing credible information to security agencies and the Ministry.

“Illegal mining destroys the environment, fuels insecurity, deprives the nation of legitimate revenue and undermines the livelihoods of law-abiding miners. The fight against this menace cannot be won by government alone. Communities must become active partners in protecting their mineral resources”, he said.

He assured Nigerians that the Ministry will sustain intelligence-led enforcement operations across all mining corridors and continue working closely with security agencies to dismantle illegal mining networks and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

The Nigerian Government, through this operation, has reiterated that there will be no safe haven for illegal miners or their sponsors, as efforts to sanitise the sector and reposition it as a major driver of national economic growth remain irreversible.