“In a bold move to combat illegal mining and protect revenue in the mining sector, the Federal Government has arrested three suspects and sealed an illegal mining site in Gaube, Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This decisive action demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to regulating mining activities and promoting lawful operations.
Led by Assistant Commandant John Onoja Attah, the Mining Marshals, a specialized unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), carried out the operation following thorough intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The unit has been working tirelessly to identify and dismantle illegal mining operations across Nigeria.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects lacked the necessary documentation to operate at the site, effectively displacing a legitimate mining company with the required permits.
“This is a clear case of illegal miners displacing lawful miners and investors, which will not be tolerated,” stated the Commander of the Mining Marshals.
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 crackdown, part of “OPERATION HAYAKIN KOGO,” aims to eradicate illegal mining activities and foster a secure and prosperous mining sector.
The success of this operation is credited to the collaborative efforts of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
This operation sends a strong message to illegal miners and investors: the federal government will no longer tolerate activities that undermine the growth and development of Nigeria’s mining sector.”
