The federal government has initiated legal proceedings against suspected illegal miners arrested i n Kogi and Ondo states as part of its ongoing efforts to clean up the mining sector.
The arrests followed “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” an enforcement action led by the Mining Marshals in the Ikah Community of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, which resulted in the apprehension of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian involved in illegal mining activities.
In a related crackdown, the Mining Marshals also targeted an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, arresting four suspects.
These individuals caught mining gold without proper authorization in a government reserved area, admitted during questioning that they lacked the necessary licenses.
In a statement Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development Segun Tomori said all suspects from both operations have been charged to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Mining Marshals, comprising 2,570 personnel drawn from 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 sanitize the mining sector.
The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining through enhanced technology and planned satellite monitoring of mining sites.
Dr. Alake reiterated his call for those involved in illegal mining to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) and warned that the government remains steadfast in enforcing regulations to uphold sector integrity.
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