Authorities in Niger State have arrested 33 suspected illegal miners for engaging in unauthorized mining activities that threaten the environment and security in the Gbokuchi-Kotongba community, Paikoro local government area.
The suspects were apprehended during an operation led by the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Forest Hunters Association.
The raid was coordinated by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Yunusa Nahauni.
Local residents revealed that the miners had been operating illegally for over a decade on land belonging to another company.
Nahauni criticized the village head and community elders for failing to report the illegal activities despite their awareness.
He reaffirmed the state government’s firm stance against illegal mining and reminded residents of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s directive to suspend all unauthorized mining operations due to security concerns.
Nahauni also urged community members to play an active role in reporting such activities.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. The state government has a clear vision to sanitize the mining sector, and we will continue to take proactive steps to expose those hiding under the guise of mining while engaging in illegal activities,” he stated.
Nahauni also raised concerns over the presence of undocumented foreign miners, questioning how they gained entry into the state without detection calling on the Nigeria Immigration Service to investigate the entry routes into the state.
He stressed that there is no going back in the fight against illegal mining urging communities to collaborate by reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
