327 illegal mining suspects nabbed

By Paul Dada

327 illegal mining suspects  have been arrested across Nigeria since 2024, says the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.

Alake who was celebrating the one-year anniversary of the operations of the Mining Marshals (MM), said this at a press conference on Friday.

He said the Mining Marshals  arrested 327 suspects for illegal mining while the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development  in partnership with other agencies, has prosecuted 143 individuals across the country within the period under review.

“This month, the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, sentenced two foreigners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to prison for illegal mining of solid minerals following a case prosecuted by the EFCC.

“We also commend the EFCC for its diligent prosecution of illegal miners.

“In May last year, the EFCC successfully prosecuted and secured the conviction of two other foreigners, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, to one year of imprisonment for illegal mining at another Federal High Court, also sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State,” Alake said.

Adding, he said, “According to our records, the MM recovered over 98 sites last year. This has enabled many license owners to return to sites and resume operations.

“This will ultimately improve royalties and raise the contribution of solid minerals to the country’s revenue.

“So far, the MM has identified 457 suspected illegal mining sites and has improved intelligence gathering on these sites.”