George George Idowu
the Nigerian government has initiated legal action against several individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities in Kogi and Ondo States.
The arrests were made during “Operation 1 Hayakin Kogo,” an initiative spearheaded by the Mining Marshals.
Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, disclosed this in a statement that the operation took place in the Ikah Community of Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to him, the operation resulted in the arrest of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian citizen for conducting mining activities in violation of existing regulations.
In a similar development, the Mining Marshals also conducted a raid on an illegal gold mining site within the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA, Ondo State, where four additional suspects were apprehended during this raid.
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According to Tomori, these individuals admitted to illegally mining gold in a Government Reserved Area without the necessary licenses or authorizations.
The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo States have been charged at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Recall that the 2,570 Mining Marshals, who were specially trained and recruited from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), represent an initiative of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
This initiative forms part of his seven-point agenda focused on reforming and sanitizing the mining sector.
The Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining activities in the country.
He emphasized the enhancement of Mining Marshals’ operations through technological integration and upcoming satellite monitoring of mining sites.
Dr. Alake also used the opportunity to call on those still engaged in illegal mining to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) to regularize their activities.
