Seven arrested for ‘illegal gold mining’ in Kogi

Seven suspected illegal gold miners have been arrested in Yagba east LGA of Kogi state.

In a statement on Friday, Segun Tomori, media aide to Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals, said the suspects were arrested by mining marshals.

The mining marshal is a security outfit carved out of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). It is tasked with ridding the mining sector of illegal operators.

Tomori said the suspects allegedly prevented authorised miners, with licences covering four cadastral units, from accessing the site for 16 years.

“Reports indicate that the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for over 20 years,” the aide said.

“The well-coordinated operation, led by Commander, Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, resulted in the arrest of seven suspects heading different groups of illegal miners in the area.

“Following the successful operation, site workers were given five days to completely vacate the site as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure it is fully recovered for lawful mining activities will continue in earnest.

“It will be recalled that a similar operation was carried out recently by the mining marshals in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, leading to the arrest of eight Chinese nationals and a Nigerian, suspected to be involved in illegal mining.”

Tomori said the Chinese suspects are being prosecuted at the federal high court in Abuja and have since been remanded in Kuje prisons.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, under the leadership of Dr. Dele Alake is committed to fighting the menace of illegal mining headlong and bringing culprits to book,” the statement added.