By Palma Ileye
Federal Government has arrested two suspected illegal miners during a coordinated enforcement operation in Osun State as part of its intensified nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities.
The operation, according to a press release signed by Lara Owoeye-Wise, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, was carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from Ogun, Oyo and Osun State offices in collaboration with security agencies, targeted illegal artisanal mining camps at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife-Ilesa Road.
According to the Ministry statement, the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of illegal miners in the area. While several suspects reportedly fled into nearby bushes on sighting the enforcement team, two were apprehended.
It stated that the arrested suspects, Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both in their twenties, were casual workers.
Both are giving useful information that would help investigators fish out their sponsors.
Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the Solid Minerals task force swooped down on the suspected illegal miners. However, on sighting the joint task team, some suspects fled into nearby bushes. Two suspects were however arrested, while mining equipment and other tools used in the illegal operation were confiscated.
The enforcement team dismantled the major operational bases established by the illegal miners.
The statement disclosed that mining equipment and other tools used in the illegal operations were confiscated, while the major operational bases established by the suspects were dismantled.
It further disclosed items recovered to included two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other mining implements adding that the illegal mining site has also been sealed in accordance with the law.
Speaking during the operation, the Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Mr. Ajibade Ganiyu, who led the enforcement team, said the exercise was part of the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to enforce the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, protect the environment, safeguard lives and preserve the nation’s mineral resources.
Ganiyu said the Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, would continue surveillance and enforcement operations across the Southwest and other parts of the country to eliminate illegal mining and restore order to the sector.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining and removing criminal elements exploiting the nation’s mineral resources.
Also speaking, the Osun State Mines Officer, Mr. Wasiu Adeboye, said the operation sends a strong signal that illegal mining would no longer be tolerated, warning that sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of the illicit trade would face the full weight of the law.
Reacting to the development, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the Tinubu administration had made the sanitisation of the mining sector a national priority through stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence gathering and community engagement.
According to the Minister, the establishment of the Mining Marshals has significantly strengthened enforcement capacity, leading to the arrest of more than 300 illegal miners and the prosecution of over 150 suspects, including foreign nationals, while several illegal mining sites have been shut down across the country.
He said the ongoing nationwide operations form part of a broader strategy to ensure Nigeria’s mineral resources are exploited through lawful, transparent and responsible mining activities for the benefit of the country.
Alake, who also chairs the African Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), noted that Nigeria’s tough stance against illegal mining aligns with the continent’s growing resolve to promote responsible mineral governance, curb illicit exploitation of mineral resources and maximise value addition for sustainable economic development.
The Minister urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents of mining communities to support the government’s efforts by refusing to harbour illegal miners and by providing credible intelligence to security agencies and the Ministry.
“Illegal mining destroys the environment, fuels insecurity, deprives the nation of legitimate revenue and undermines the livelihoods of law-abiding miners. The fight against this menace cannot be won by government alone. Communities must become active partners in protecting their mineral resources,” he said.
Alake assured Nigerians that the Ministry would sustain intelligence-driven enforcement operations across mining corridors and continue working with security agencies to dismantle illegal mining networks and bring offenders to justice.
He reiterated that there would be no safe haven for illegal miners or their sponsors as the Federal Government remains committed to sanitising the sector and repositioning it as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.
The Nigerian Government through this operation has reiterated that there will be no safe haven for illegal miners or their sponsors, as efforts to sanitise the sector and reposition it as a major driver of national economic growth remain irreversible.
