Crime
Nigerian Government Charges Two Chinese Nationals, Five Others For Illegal Mining In Kogi, Ondo States
The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo states have since been charged to the Federal High Court.
Abuja, Nigeria- The Nigerian government has changed seven suspects, including two Chinese nationals to court over alleged illegal mining activities in Kogi and Ondo states.
The suspects were arrested in a recent operation carried out by the Mining Marshals, an enforcement unit tasked with regulating and securing the country’s mining sector.
In a statement issued on Monday by Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, through his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori.
The statement read, “Operation three of the suspects – two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian were arrested by the Mining Marshalls for violation of existing mining regulations in an operation code-named “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” in Ikah Community of Ankpa LGA, Kogi State.”
The Minister explained that the Mining Marshals also raided an illegal gold mining site in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State, where four suspects were arrested.
“These individuals, caught in the act of illegally mining gold in a Government Reserved Area, confessed during interrogation that they lacked the necessary licenses or authorisation to carry out their operations”
“The suspects from both Kogi and Ondo states have since been charged to the Federal High Court, Abuja,” the statement indicated,” he stated.
A few weeks ago, the Minister unveiled 2,570 Mining Marshals, specially trained and recruited from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as part of his 7-point agenda to reform and sanitize the mining sector.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining by improving the Mining Marshals’ effectiveness through technological advancements and upcoming satellite monitoring of mining sites.
The Minister called on those involved in illegal mining to reform and comply with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) to legalize their operations, emphasized that the Federal Government’s resolve to enforce stringent measures remains steadfast.