FG busts illegal gold miners in Kogi, 7 suspects arrested
Illegal miners
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Seven suspects heading different groups of illegal gold miners have been arrested in Iyeh Odogbe community of Isanlu town of Yagba East Lpcal Government Area of Kogi State.
The illegal miners were arrested as part of the ongoing nationwide onslaught of the federal government against illegal mining in a well-coordinated operation led by Commander, Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development said in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the operation involved dislodging illegal miners whose activities have prevented lawfully authorized miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.
Mining Marshall and some of the suspects
The statement further indicated that the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for over 20 years.
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According to the statement, following the successful operation, workers of the illegal workers were given five days to completely vacate the site as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure it is fully recovered for lawful mining activities will continue in earnest.
The illegal gold members arrested in Kogi
“It will be recalled that a similar operation was carried out recently by the mining marshals in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, leading to the arrest of eight (8) Chinese nationals and a Nigerian, suspected to be involved in illegal mining.
“The trial of the suspects commenced last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja division, and they were remanded in Kuje prisons until the adjourned date.
“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, under the leadership of Dr. Dele Alake is committed to fighting the menace of illegal mining headlong and bringing culprits to
book,” the statement concluded.
