The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, revealed that three foreigners were taken into custody for allegedly engaging in unlawful mining activities in Rafin Gabas, within Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
A statement issued on Thursday by Segun Tomori, the minister’s special assistant on media, indicated that the ministry’s mining marshals had shut down the illegal mining site, which was allegedly being safeguarded by some compromised security officials.
The statement quoted Alake as calling the operation a significant victory in the battle against illegal mining in the country, adding that measures are underway to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
“This is a crucial milestone in our tireless efforts to sanitize the mining sector. We are committed to cracking down on illegal mining operations and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable,” the statement reads.
John Onoja, commander of the mining marshals, stated that an investigation is underway to identify the corrupt security personnel, and confirmed that the site has been sealed off after the raid.
Onoja pointed out that the company responsible for the illegal activities, along with some of the fleeing suspects, have pending criminal cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
