The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has announced that 327 suspects have been arrested for illegal mining across Nigeria since the launch of the Mining Marshals (MM) in 2024.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, March 21, to mark the first anniversary of the MM’s operations, Alake emphasized the impact of the security outfit in combating illegal mining in the country’s solid minerals sector.
“The Marshals have arrested 327 suspects for illegal mining,” Alake stated, adding that “the ministry, in partnership with other agencies, has prosecuted 143 individuals across the country since the MM began operations in 2024.”
The Mining Marshals, inaugurated on March 21, 2024, function as a specialized security force to track and curb illegal mining activities. The unit primarily consists of officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Alake revealed that one of the MM’s primary goals for 2025 is to secure the conviction of those already arraigned in court, which, according to him, would serve as a deterrent and reinforce compliance with mining regulations.
The minister acknowledged the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, crediting their efforts in sanitizing the mining sector.
“This month, the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, sentenced two foreigners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to prison for illegal mining of solid minerals following a case prosecuted by the EFCC,” Alake stated.
“We also commend the EFCC for its diligent prosecution of illegal miners. In May last year, the EFCC successfully prosecuted and secured the conviction of two other foreigners, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, to one year of imprisonment for illegal mining at another Federal High Court, also sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State,” he added.
Highlighting the severity of illegal mining, Alake disclosed that some companies have been found collaborating with individual miners to engage in the practice.
“According to our records, the MM recovered over 98 sites last year. This has enabled many license owners to return to sites and resume operations. This will ultimately improve royalties and raise the contribution of solid minerals to the country’s revenue,” he said.
“So far, the MM has identified 457 suspected illegal mining sites and has improved intelligence gathering on these sites,” he added.
The minister noted that the MM’s operations have so far focused on ten states: Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. He assured that the security outfit would expand its coverage to other regions in 2025.
To strengthen its operations, Alake confirmed that additional personnel would be recruited, and more logistics, including vehicles and equipment, would be provided to the MM.
Speaking at the event, the Commandant of the Mining Marshals, John Attah, expressed gratitude to the minister for his support and urged the public to view the MM’s mission as a national project.
Source: Linda Ikeji
