Federal government charges illegal miners in Kogi, Ondo

The Federal Government has initiated legal proceedings against alleged illegal miners arrested in Kogi and Ondo states as part of its ongoing efforts to clean up the mining sector.

The arrests followed ‘Operation Hayakin Kogo’, a Mining Marshals-led enforcement operation in Ikah community of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, which led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian national involved in illegal mining activities.

In a related crackdown, the Mining Marshals also targeted an illegal gold mining site in Ogunlepa Forest Reserve, Oluwa, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, arresting four suspects.

These individuals, caught mining gold without proper authorization in a government-restricted area, admitted during questioning that they did not have the necessary licenses.
In a statement, the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, said all suspects in both operations have been arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Mining Marshals, made up of 2,570 members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are part of an initiative by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, to reform and rehabilitate the mining sector.

The minister stressed the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining through enhanced technology and planned satellite monitoring of mine sites.

Dr Alake reiterated his call on those involved in illegal mining to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) and warned that the government remains firm in enforcing regulations to safeguard the integrity of the sector.

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