The federal government has begun the prosecution of illegal miners in Kogi and Ondo states.
Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, during a recent operation codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” conducted by Mining Marshals in the Ikah Community of Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State, two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian were arrested for engaging in mining activities without proper authorisation.
Tomori further disclosed in the statement that the Mining Marshals also raided an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, where four suspects were arrested.
“These individuals, caught in the act of illegally mining gold in a Government Reserved Area, confessed during interrogation that they lacked the necessary licenses or authorisation to carry out their operations.
“The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo states have since been charged to the Federal High Court, Abuja.”
He quoted the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, as having emphasised the government’s commitment to sanitising the mining sector, stating that the 2,570-strong Mining Marshals, drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, are a key component of his seven-point agenda aimed at reforming the sector.
Alake reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eliminating illegal mining through enhanced operations of the Mining Marshals, including the use of technology and the upcoming implementation of satellite monitoring of mining sites.
He urged those still involved in illegal activities to “turn a new leaf and comply with the relevant sections of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act to regularise their operations,” warning that the Federal Government’s resolve to enforce the law is unwavering.
Tomori stressed that the recent actions are just the beginning of a broader crackdown on illegal mining across the country.
