Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The federal government has intensified its efforts to sanitize the mining sector by prosecuting seven suspected illegal gold miners arrested in Kogi and Ondo states.
The suspects, including two Chinese nationals and five Nigerians, have been charged to the Federal High Court in Abuja for violating existing mining regulations.
The arrests were made during a recent operation led by the Mining Marshals, code-named “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” in the Ikah Community of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State, and the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State.
SweetCrude Reports gathered that the Mining Marshals also raided an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, where four suspects were arrested.
The suspects 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
Reacting on the development, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining in the country, stressing that the resolve to wield the big stick is unflinching.
Alake urged those still involved in illegal activities in the mining sector to turn a new leaf and comply with the relevant sections of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, NNMA, to regularise their operations.
He said, “We are dedicated to sanitizing the mining sector and have charged suspected illegal miners recently arrested in Kogi and Ondo states.
“A key element of my commitment to eliminating illegal mining is enhancing our Mining Marshals’ operations through technology and satellite monitoring of mining sites.
“I urge anyone involved in illegal mining to comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, NNMA, and regularize their operations. Our resolve to take decisive action against illegal activities is unwavering, and we will maintain zero tolerance for any form of illegality.”
