A civil society group, Action for Economic Development (AED) has said the 387 individuals arrested in connection with illegal mining by the Armed Forces of Nigeria must be investigated to halt criminality in the mining sector.
This is as AED commended the armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for supporting other security agencies in curbing illegal mining.
The Chief of Defence Staff, represented by the director of operations, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius, confirmed the arrest of the 387 individuals on Monday while appearing before the House Committee on Solid Mineral.
AED, in a press release yesterday, lamented that criminals have continued to get away with the country’s resources despite the hardships Nigerians are facing.
The press release signed by the convener of AED Bilkisu Bello, said the arrested individuals must be thoroughly investigated to determine who is behind them.
According to AED, “We learnt from NEITI that Nigeria has lost about $46.16 billion (N16.25 trillion) from oil theft as of 2022.
“It is unfortunate that this has now spread to the mining sector with the confirmation by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, that illegal mining activities in Nigeria are costing the country about $9 billion annually.”
“As a country, how can we continue like this? It is disturbing with the revelation by the CDS that foreigners are involved in economic crime.
“More disturbing is the impact on the immediate environment where illegal mining occurs.
“We use this opportunity to commend the Armed Forces of Nigeria for what is being done to curb crude oil theft, and now supporting other security agencies to curb illegal miners,” AED added.
