The federal government has intensified its nationwide campaign against illegal mining with the arrest of two suspected illegal miners during a coordinated enforcement operation at an illegal mining site in Osun state.
The operation, which was carried out by officials from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Ogun, Oyo and Osun state offices, in collaboration with security agencies, targeted illegal artisanal mining camps at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife/Ilesa road.
Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the solid minerals task force swooped on the suspected illegal miners; however, on sighting the joint task team, fled into nearby bushes. Two suspects were however arrested, while mining equipment and other tools used in the illegal operation were confiscated.
The enforcement team also dismantled major operational bases established by the illegal miners.
A statement Sunday by Lara Owoeye-Wise, special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals, said items recovered from the sites included two motorcycles, pumping machines, lister generators, washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other mining implements while the Illegal site was sealed off in accordance with the law.
Speaking during the operation, the South-west zonal mines officer, Mr Ajibade Ganiyu, who led the team on the enforcement exercise, said the operation forms part of the federal government’s sustained efforts to enforce compliance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, protect the environment, safeguard lives and preserve the nation’s mineral resources.
He stated that the ministry, under Dr Dele Alake’s leadership, remains committed to conducting continuous surveillance and enforcement operations across the South-west and other parts of the country to eliminate illegal mining and restore sanity to the sector.
He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering determination to rid Nigeria of illegal mining and criminal elements exploiting the nation’s mineral resources.
Also speaking, the Osun state mines officer, Mr Wasiu Adeboye said the operation sends a clear message that illegal mining would no longer be tolerated, warning that sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of the illicit trade would continue to face the full weight of the law.
Reacting to this incident, the minister, Dr Alake said the Tinubu- administration has made the sanitisation of the mining sector a national priority through far-reaching reforms that combine stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence gathering and community engagement.