Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has raised the alarm over the involvement of retired military generals and influential elite in the rampant illegal mining activities across Nigeria.
According to the Senator and former Edo State governor, the illegal activities not only rob the nation of critical revenue but also undermine efforts to diversify the economy.
Speaking during the Senate Committee on Appropriation budget session in Abuja on Friday, where the chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Sampson Ekong, presented recommendations for the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Oshiomhole made a scathing indictment of the illegal mining syndicates.
Oshiomhole disclosed that certain retired generals and their foreign collaborators sponsor illegal mining operations, arming illegal miners and using helicopters to extract and export gold and other valuable minerals.
“This issue goes beyond the surface to the root cause. Let me explain: those involved in illegal mining are heavily organized. They use choppers, procure arms, and operate sophisticated systems,” he said.
“They do this in much the same way as oil bunkering was done in the South-South. They even use apps to coordinate operations, bringing in choppers to cart away gold, smuggling it out of the country, and making billions of US dollars in the process.
“The federal government isn’t doing enough to address this. When I was the National Chairman of the APC, I took a letter to the former President, asking him to call in the generals for a briefing.
“I warned that what is happening now was exactly what those generals had foreseen: powerful individuals have weaponised criminal groups.
“These illegal operators deploy armed men to secure mining sites, primarily to protect the Chinese and other foreign nationals they employ for illegal mining.
“These same weapons are later used for banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes.
“Let’s be honest: some retired military officers and high-ranking officials are involved. The truth is, unless we confront this issue head-on, this country cannot flourish.
“We must not turn a blind eye just because certain individuals are seen as ‘above the law.’
“We know where illegal mining is happening and who is responsible. We’ve heard complaints about the involvement of certain nationalities, yet these individuals operate freely, enriching themselves while our people grow poorer.
“They can afford to buy choppers, land at illegal mining sites, extract gold, and fly it out of the country with ease. Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of the consequences—banditry, insecurity, and economic hardship.
“As senators, we must do more than lament. We should demand that the executive deploy the same force used against illegal oil bunkering to tackle illegal mining.
“It doesn’t matter who is involved—a retired general, a public servant, or even a labour leader. Criminals must face justice. The government needs to show Nigerians that it does not condone these activities.
“The solid minerals sector has immense potential. Let us not forget that oil was discovered by accident; what we were originally looking for were solid minerals.
“Now, we’re at a crossroads where we must recommit to developing this sector.
“Through the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly, we must draw the President’s attention to the urgent need for political will to decisively address these crimes and harness our natural resources for the good of our economy.”
Oshiomhole criticised the federal government for applying double standards in addressing illegal mining compared to its crackdown on oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
“If we can deploy joint military task forces to combat oil bunkering, why are we lenient with illegal miners? It’s time to deploy the same level of force and ruthlessness,” he added.
Oshiomhole emphasised that the economic potential of the solid minerals sector remains untapped due to weak enforcement of regulations.
He claimed the sector could contribute up to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP if properly managed but currently accounts for only 0.05 per cent.
He urged the Federal Government to take decisive action by deploying military task forces to mining areas, targeting not just the miners but also their influential sponsors.
The senator also highlighted the need for increased funding for the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The Senator Ekong-led committee has recommended a capital budget of ₦539 billion, up from the ₦9 billion initially proposed
“The paltry budget allocated to the solid minerals sector shows we are not serious about diversifying our economy. Despite its meagre allocation last year, the ministry generated ₦37 billion in revenue. Imagine what could be achieved with proper funding,” he said.
Oshiomhole’s revelations cast a spotlight on the deep-seated issues plaguing Nigeria’s mining sector. His call for urgent reforms, increased security measures, and adequate funding underscored the critical need to address illegal mining and harness the sector’s full potential for national development.
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