The Federal Government has arraigned two Chinese nationals and one Nigerian for alleged illegal mining activities in Kogi and Ondo States.
This follows their arrest during a crackdown by the Mining Marshals, part of the government’s ongoing efforts to sanitize the mining sector.
The suspects were apprehended in separate operations in the Ikah Community of Ankpa Local Government Area, Kogi State, and at an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo Local Government Area, Ondo State.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, signed by Segun Tomori, detailed the arrests.
According to Tomori, “The suspects were arrested by the Mining Marshals under the code-named ‘Operation Hayakin Kogo,’ which took place 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.”
In the Ondo State raid, four suspects were caught illegally mining gold in a government-reserved area.
“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 statement noted.
The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo States have since been charged to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Mining Marshals, a 2,570-strong task force drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), is part of Dr. Dele Alake’s seven-point agenda aimed at reforming and sanitizing the mining sector.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining, emphasizing that operations would soon be bolstered with technology, including satellite monitoring of mining sites.
Dr. Alake urged those still involved in illegal mining activities 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 government’s resolve to enforce the law is unwavering.
