FG raids illegal gold camp in Osun, arrests two suspects

The Federal Government has intensified its campaign against illegal mining with the arrest of two suspected miners during a joint enforcement operation that shut down an illicit mining camp in Osun State.

The suspects, identified as Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both casual labourers in their twenties, were apprehended at an illegal artisanal mining site at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife-Ilesa Road.

Authorities said the duo are cooperating with investigators by providing information that could lead to the arrest of those financing and organising the illegal operation.

The raid was carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from its Ogun, Oyo and Osun offices in collaboration with security agencies after intelligence reports pointed to unlawful mining activities in the area.

A statement issued on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, said the operation was launched following credible information received by the ministry.

According to the statement: “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 down on the suspected illegal miners. However, on sighting the joint task team, some suspects 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 the major operational bases established by the illegal miners.”

Officials recovered two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, mineral washing equipment, long hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other tools believed to have been used in the illegal mining activities. The operational camp was dismantled and the site sealed in line with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.

Leading the operation, the Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Ajibade Ganiyu, said the exercise formed part of the government’s broader effort to enforce mining regulations, protect the environment and prevent the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He said the ministry would continue surveillance and enforcement operations across the South West and other parts of the country until illegal mining is brought under control. He added that the Federal Government remains determined to rid the sector of criminal elements.

The Osun State Mines Officer, Mr Wasiu Adeboye, warned that the authorities would sustain the offensive against illegal mining.

He said, “This enforcement exercise sends a clear message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated. Sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of these unlawful activities should know that they will continue to face the full weight of the law. We will sustain these operations until illegal mining is brought under control.”

Reacting to the development, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said cleaning up the mining sector remains one of the Tinubu administration’s key priorities through stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence gathering and community engagement.

The minister noted that the creation of the Mining Marshals has boosted enforcement efforts, resulting in the arrest of more than 300 illegal miners and the prosecution of over 150 suspects, including foreign nationals, while several illegal mining sites have been shut down nationwide.

Alake said the ongoing operations are designed to ensure that the country’s mineral resources are exploited legally, transparently and responsibly for the benefit of Nigerians.

He also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations and residents of mining communities to support the government’s campaign by refusing to harbour illegal miners and by supplying credible intelligence to security agencies and the ministry.