Suspected illegal miners
Operatives of the mining marshals have arrested seven suspected illegal miners in Kogi and Ondo states.
In March, the federal government launched the mining marshals, a unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to checkmate illegal mining of solid minerals across the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, Segun Tomori, spokesperson of Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, said some of the illegal miners were arrested in the Ikah community of Ankpa LGA in Kogi state.
He said the suspects are two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian, adding that four other persons were arrested at an illegal mining station in Oluwa forest reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo state.
“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,” he said.
“The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo states have since been charged to the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The minister reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining in the country by bolstering the operations of the mining marshals with the infusion of technology and imminent satellite monitoring of mining sites.”
Tomori quoted Alake as saying that those still involved in illegal activities in the mining sector “should turn a new leaf” and comply with the relevant sections of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA).
“The resolve of the federal government to wield the big stick is unflinching,” Alake said.