FG Arrests Two Suspected Illegal Miners, Shuts Down Illegal Gold Mining Site in Osun
The Federal Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining activities with the arrest of two suspected illegal miners and the closure of an illegal gold mining site in Osun State.
The suspects, identified as Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both in their twenties, were apprehended during a coordinated enforcement operation at an illegal artisanal mining camp in Ileki-Ijesa, along the Ile-Ife–Ilesa Road. Authorities said the duo, believed to be casual workers, are currently assisting investigators with information aimed at identifying and apprehending the financiers and sponsors of the illegal operation.
The operation was conducted by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from its Ogun, Oyo and Osun State offices in collaboration with security agencies, following credible intelligence on the activities of illegal miners in the area.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, members of the Solid Minerals Task Force stormed the site after receiving a tip-off. While several suspects escaped into nearby bushes upon sighting the enforcement team, two suspects were arrested and a large cache of mining equipment was recovered.
The enforcement team also dismantled the illegal miners’ operational bases and sealed the site in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.
Items recovered during the raid included two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, mineral washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other tools allegedly used for illegal mining activities.
Leading the operation, the Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Ajibade Ganiyu, said the raid formed part of the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to enforce compliance with mining regulations, protect the environment, preserve mineral resources and safeguard lives.
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He stressed that the ministry would continue surveillance and enforcement operations across the Southwest and other parts of the country to eradicate illegal mining and restore order to the sector.
Similarly, the Osun State Mines Officer, Wasiu Adeboye, said the operation sent a clear message that illegal mining would no longer be tolerated.
“This enforcement exercise sends a clear message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated. Sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of these unlawful activities should know that they will continue to face the full weight of the law. We will sustain these operations until illegal mining is brought under control,” he said.
Reacting to the operation, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to sanitising the mining sector through stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence-driven operations and community engagement.
Alake noted that the establishment of the Mining Marshals has significantly strengthened the government’s enforcement capacity, resulting in 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 enforcement campaign forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are exploited through lawful, transparent and responsible mining practices for the benefit of the nation.
The minister, who also chairs the African Mineral Strategy Group, added that Nigeria’s decisive action against illegal mining reflects the continent’s growing commitment to responsible mineral governance, curbing illicit exploitation of Africa’s mineral wealth and promoting value addition for sustainable economic development.
Alake also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents of mining communities to support the Federal Government’s efforts by refusing to harbour illegal miners and by providing credible intelligence to security agencies and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
By PRNigeria
