FG prosecutes Chinese nationals, Nigerians for illegal mining

As part of efforts to sanitise the mining sector, the federal government has charged suspected illegal miners arrested in Kogi and Ondo States during a recent operation led by the Mining Marshals to court.

The operation, code-named “Operation Hayakin Kogo”, took place in the Ikah Community of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State resulting in the arrest of 2 Chinese nationals and a Nigerian for mining activities in violation of existing mining regulations.

Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made this known in a statement issued on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Tomori added that the Mining Marshals also raided an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where four suspects were arrested.

Alake: Forensic audit of mining sector underway

He said the 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.

He noted that suspects from Kogi and Ondo States have since been charged to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Tomori further quoted Alake as reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining in Nigeria by bolstering the operations of the Mining Marshals with the infusion of technology and imminent satellite monitoring of mining sites.

The minister urged those still involved in illegal activities in the mining sector to turn a new leaf and comply with the relevant sections of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) to regularise their operations, stressing that the resolve of the federal government to wielding the big stick is unflinching.

The Star