In a continued effort to sanitize the mining sector, seven suspected illegal miners were arrested during recent operations in Kogi and Ondo states and have been charged to court.
A statement issued by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, revealed that the suspects have been charged at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The operation, code-named “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” was conducted in the Ikah Community of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, resulting in the arrest of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian for mining activities in violation of existing mining regulations. Additionally, the Mining Marshals raided an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, where four suspects were apprehended.
“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 authorization to carry out their operations,” Tomori stated.
The statement further emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment, under the leadership of Minister Dr. Dele Alake, to eliminate illegal mining in the country. This includes enhancing the operations of the Mining Marshals through the integration of technology and the imminent satellite monitoring of mining sites.
The statement urged those still engaged in illegal mining activities to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) to regularize their operations, stressing that the government’s resolve to enforce the law remains strong.
The Mining Marshals, a 2,570-strong force specially trained and drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), is part of Minister Alake’s 7-point agenda aimed at reforming and sanitizing the mining sector.
