CSO Demands Probe Of Suspected 387 Illegal Miners

A civil society group, Action for Economic Development (AED), on Tuesday, said the 387 persons arrested in connection with illegal mining by the Armed Forces of Nigeria must be thoroughly investigated to halt criminality in the mining sector.

This is as AED commended the Armed Forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, for supporting other security agencies in curbing illegal mining.

Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff, who was represented by the Director of Operations, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius, on Monday confirmed the arrest of the 387 suspected illegal miners while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals.

AED in a press release on Tuesday lamented that criminals have continued to get away with the country’s resources in the midst of hardship being faced by Nigerians.

The press release signed by the Convener, AED, Bilkisu Bello, said the arrested individuals must be thoroughly investigated to know those behind them.

According to AED, “We learnt from NEITI that NIGERIA has lost about $46.16 billion (N16.25trillion) 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 $9bn annually.

“As a country, how can we continue like this? It is disturbing with the revelation by the CDS that foreigners are involved in the economic crime.

“More disturbing is the impact on immediate environment where the illegal mining is taking place.

“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.