The federal government’s crackdown on illegal mining led to the apprehension of three suspects and the shutdown of their illegal mining site in Gaube, Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Under the code name “OPERATION HAYAKIN KOGO,” the newly appointed Mining Marshals, under the command of Assistant Commandant John Onoja Attah, executed the arrest.
The suspects lacked the required paperwork allowing them to mine the site, according to preliminary investigations.
It was also discovered that the actions and resistance of the illegal miners prevented a legitimate mining company with the right permits for the same location from accessing the site.
“This is a clear case of illegal miners displacing lawful miners and investors, which will not be tolerated,” according to the Commander of the Mining Marshals.
The suspects acknowledged operating on the site for more than a year and freely confessed to the crime of illegal mining.
As at the time of their arrest, over 2,000 tons of lithium was on the ground, highlighting the scale of the illegal operation.
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According to Attah, “Whereas, we met about 2000 tons of lithium on the ground, the quantity of lithium mined since commencement of operation can’t be quantified as they were not being recorded due to the illegality of their mining operations.”
More inquiries are being conducted to determine the scope of the illicit activities, and the seized minerals and equipment on the property have been designated as exhibits for prosecution.
The Marshals Commander went on to say that the operation’s success was due to the cooperation of Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Dr. Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development. The operation was part of a larger effort to combat revenue loss in the nation’s mining sector.
He continued by saying that the operation’s goals are to rid the mining industry of unlawful activity and advance a safer, more successful sector.
“This operation sends a strong message to illegal miners and investors that the federal government will no longer tolerate illegal activities that undermine the growth and development of the mining sector,” Attah maintained.
