Cyril Mbah, Abuja
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has urged youths in Kogi State to engage elders, community leaders and local authorities to withdraw support for illegal miners who are degrading the environment.
The Minister gave the charge on Thursday while addressing members of Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation who protested to the Ministry in Abuja over mining activities in Kogi East.
Alake commended the youths for joining the Federal Government’s campaign against illegal mining and assured them that the government is deploying technology and strengthening the Mining Marshals to intensify the ongoing crackdown.
He said Kogi State remains of particular concern to the Ministry, recalling that the first operation of the Mining Marshals was the dislodgement of illegal miners from licensed area number 19325 belonging to North-South Extractive Industries in Yagba East LGA.
According to him, between March 2024 and August 2026, the Mining Marshals identified 374 illegal mining sites nationwide. “To date, 108 of such sites have been cleared. We have arrested 743 suspects. We are prosecuting 165 cases involving 430 accused persons. So far, we have secured five convictions,” he said.
The Minister revealed that investigations by committees headed by the Ministry’s permanent secretaries showed that most illegal miners are indigenes, not foreigners, and operate with the backing of elders, traditional rulers and local government officials.
“Illegal miners don’t pay for licences. They don’t pay royalties. They enrich themselves at the expense of the Nigerian people while killing legitimate mining companies,” Alake stated.
He warned that time was running out for illegal operators and their collaborators. “With the ongoing deployment of technology and the consolidation of the Mining Marshals, very soon there will be no hiding place for these criminals,” he said.
Earlier, Coordinator of the protesting group, Comrade Isaiah Davies Ijele, said the protest was to draw attention to environmental degradation in Ankpa and Omala communities of Kogi East, caused by mining operations in violation of standards.
He alleged that the miners damaged roads with impunity, destroyed farmlands and polluted water sources.
Responding, Director of Mining Environmental Compliance, Dr. Vivian Okono, said the Ministry is compiling a list of companies defaulting on Community Development Agreements for publication and further sanctions. She added that the Mines Inspectorate and Mining Marshals will be deployed to enforce compliance.
The Minister was represented by top directors, including Engr. Imam Ganiyu, Engr. Frank Odom, Dr. Ijeoma Idika, and Commander of Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja.
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