Following their involvement in illicit mining operations at a gold site in Kogi State’s Yagba East Local Government Area, no fewer than seven individuals have been taken into custody.
Segun Tomori, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake’s Special Assistant on Media, made this revelation in a statement on Friday.
Mining marshals removed the illicit miners throughout the operation, since their operations had barred licenced miners from “accessing the site for 16 years.”
The announcement said, in part, “Several suspects allegedly involved in the illegal mining of gold in Yagba East LGA, Kogi State, have been arrested as part of the Federal Government’s nationwide onslaught against illegal mining.”
“The operation, carried out by the mining marshals in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA, involved dislodging illegal miners whose activities have prevented lawfully 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 well-coordinated operation, led by Commander, Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, resulted in the arrest of seven suspects heading different groups of illegal miners in the area.”
The statement stated that “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 would continue in earnest.
“It will be recalled that a similar operation was carried out recently by the mining marshals in Umunneochi LG of Abia State, leading to the arrest of eight Chinese nationals and a Nigerian, suspected to be involved in illegal mining.
“The trial of the suspects commenced last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja division, and they were remanded in Kuje prison until the adjourned date.”
