FG Seals Illegal Mining Site In Kuje

The Federal Government has cracked down on Illegal Miners, and Sealed a Mining Site in Kuje area Council of the Federal capital Territory.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori in Abuja.

According to the statement, the three suspects were apprehended in a mining site in Gaube.

“In a significant move to curb illegal mining and safeguard revenue in the mining sector, the Federal Government has apprehended three suspects and sealed an illegal mining site in Gaube, Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to regulating mining activities and promoting lawful operations” Tomori states.

According to him, the operation was spearheaded by the Mining Marshals under the leadership of Assistant Commandant John Onoja Attah and was executed following meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance.

“The Mining Marshals, a specialized unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has been diligently working to identify and dismantle illegal mining operations across Nigeria” he adds.

The statement says Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had no documentation authorizing their mining activities at the site, effectively displacing a legitimate mining company that possessed the necessary permits.

“This is a clear case of illegal miners displacing lawful miners and investors, which will not be tolerated”.

It explains that the suspects confessed to operating illegally for over a year, with over 2,000 tons of lithium found on-site at the time of their arrest.

“The seized minerals and equipment have been marked for prosecution, with further investigations underway to uncover the full extent of the illegal operations” the Special Assistant stresses.

“The crackdown, which is part of “OPERATION HAYAKIN KOGO,” aims to eradicate illegal mining activities and foster a secure and prosperous mining sector.”

The statement credits success of this operation to the collaborative efforts of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi noting that the operation sends a strong message to illegal miners and investors:

According to the statement, the federal government will no longer tolerate activities that undermine the growth and development of Nigeria’s mining sector.

By Georgina Humphrey