Retired military generals are allegedly behind illegal mining activities in Nigeria, according to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior.
Oshiomhole made the assertion during the submission of the 2025 budget report by Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, before the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
He expressed concerns that the illegal mining activities, driven by powerful figures, pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy.
“The ongoing illegal mining across the country is being carried out by retired generals, and we know them. Yes, we know them. Nobody in Africa doesn’t know them,” Oshiomhole said, adding that he had previously raised the issue in a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Citing a specific instance, Oshiomhole noted that illegal mining had disrupted the conduct of primary elections in Zamfara State, further highlighting the scale of the problem.
He called for decisive action, including the deployment of military forces and Joint Task Forces (JTFs), to combat illegal mining and oil theft.
“If we have to fight this menace, we need to deploy the Army even to kill anyone who is involved in illegal pumping of oil,” Oshiomhole declared.
The Senate panel, in agreement with Oshiomhole, emphasized the need for security agencies to intensify their efforts in addressing the issue.
The panel also resolved to significantly increase the budget of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to tackle the menace effectively.
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