Amid growing concerns over illegal gold mining in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the Federal Government has ordered mining marshals to seal off the illegal mining site in the area to avert potential environmental damage.
This directive, issued by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, on Wednesday, followed a recent operation on August 16, 2025, when marshals successfully shut down another illegal site in Gwagwalada’s District 2 Extension layout and arrested 16 suspects who would soon be prosecuted.
According to a statement released by Dr. Alake’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, preliminary findings indicated that artisanal miners besieged the area after gold was accidentally uncovered during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential building.
Tomori stated: “The most recent incident took place on a farmland located behind CKC in Gwagwalada. Upon receiving intelligence reports of renewed unlawful mining activity, Dr. Alake promptly ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site.”
The statement also noted that ministry officials, led by the Director of Mines Inspectorate (represented by Deputy Director Sunday Okhuoya), conducted an on-site inspection on Wednesday and expressed satisfaction with compliance so far.
It also confirmed that a full investigation was underway to determine the origin of the activity and prevent further breaches.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, confirmed that round-the-clock surveillance has been established at both locations while federal authorities continue their inquiry.
Considering the potential environmental and public health risks associated with the illegal mining operations, the minister warned residents to steer clear of the affected areas while enforcement and remediation efforts are underway.
Dr. Alake reiterated the federal government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, noting that efforts were in progress to deploy satellite surveillance systems to monitor mining activity nationwide and bolster enforcement capabilities.
