President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the military to root out illicit miners in order to boost the government’s efforts to diversify its economy.
Mining is a legitimate source of income that is competitive with oil earnings.
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, has intensified efforts to ensure that the industry generates as much money for the nation as possible.
The minister launched the Mining Guard, which is stationed at locations across the country, to deter crime.
Illegal mining is a common activity in the following regions: the Northwest, particularly in Zamfara State; the North Central, particularly in Niger, Nasarawa, and Plateau states; the Southwest, including Osun and Ondo.
Speaking yesterday when he received Course 32 participants of the National Defence College (NDC) at the State House, Abuja, the President said: ‘‘I recognise the need for the diversification of the economy, and we have been pushing hard on this.
“Your involvement will equally promote a better understanding of the issues.
‘‘We have challenges of scavengers and exploiters around the country.
“We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society.”
A presentation titled “Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035″ was given to the President by participants in NDC Course 32. The presentation focused on the importance of economic diversification and the mining industry’s role in accomplishing this objective.
In a statement released by Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, President Tinubu emphasised the need of security agencies in addressing the issue of illegal miners.
The participants’ depth of thought and familiarity with security and warfare were praised by the President. He stated that he expected additional resources to be made available to guarantee a stable economic environment through the command of the security agencies.
The Course 32 Participants were tasked with researching topical national issues.
Their 11-month investigation yielded results centred on the mining sector’s ability to advance development and national security.
President Tinubu praised the delegation’s work and emphasised the significance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy in his response to Colonel Olajide Bello’s presentation.
He said, ‘‘I have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme. Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you.
‘‘We expect that through your command, we will have more resources that we need to make sure we have a stable economic environment.”
Speaking to the delegation during an interactive session about the health implications of exploration activities, President Tinubu expressed concern for the well-being of those who live near mining areas and assured them that his administration would see to it that the NDC headquarters in Abuja is completed.
‘‘We must pay attention to that at the outset by providing medical centres and other facilities that will protect the lives, property and health of Nigerians,’’ the President stated.
Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, the commandant of the NDC, announced that 2,871 students have graduated from the college since it was founded in 1992 as the National War College.
In addition to students from 30 African nations, the college has also included students from Bangladesh, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Due to the President’s generosity, the college has upgraded its infrastructure to an unprecedented degree, enabling it to compete favourably with all other defence colleges worldwide, according to Rear Admiral Olotu.
But he pleaded with President Tinubu to help finish the college’s permanent site in Abuja, pointing out that the school has been operating out of a temporary location in the Central Business District since 2010 because the permanent site has not been completed.
The Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) comprised the 111 participants in NDC Course 32. Additionally, 19 foreign participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America were included in the group.
The college conducts extensive research on all issues pertaining to development and national security. The Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, a research centre inside the college, has been designated as the strategic ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for Peace Support Operations.
Twelve people who were involved in illicit mining in Ondo State have been taken into custody by members of the Nigerian Army’s 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure.
The agents discovered that the true lords of the state’s illicit mining come from the states of Zamfara and Niger. Kabiru Sani, Oluwaseun Rufus, Adebayo James, Kamal Zaharadeen, Mohammed Bello Lawal, Yunusa Mohammed, Ma’azu Auwal, Bashir Muktar, and Abdullahi Ibrahim, all forty years old, were among those arrested.
Speaking during the suspects’ parade, Mr. Olugbenga Atiba, the governor’s senior special assistant on security, explained that the actions were a part of an effort to reduce illicit mining and other security threats in the state.
He said: “We had our men deployed across the three senatorial districts of Ondo, penetrating deep into the jungles to prevent kidnapping and make arrests where possible.
“We know the destruction that has been caused in Niger State by these illegal miners. The kingpins are from Niger and Zamfara.
“Upon discovering these illegal activities, immediate actions were taken.
“One of the first steps was conducting a reconnaissance to establish the presence of these illegal miners. We have now stationed security men throughout the state.
“We have also identified some individuals, including some local leaders, who are involved in these activities and causing problems.
“However, at the state government level, we are addressing this through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.”
Razaq Obe, the Ondo Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, demanded that mining stewardship be removed off the privileged list.
The bodies of the final four trapped miners in the Galadima-Kogo hamlet of Niger’s Shiroro Local Government Area were found yesterday as well.
This information was revealed in a Minna interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Alhaji Umaru Aliyu, the Village Head of Galadima-Kogo.
According to NAN, on June 14, eight people were rescued from the event with varying degrees of injuries, while 14 people lost their lives.
The bodies of the remaining four miners were placed to the mortuary of IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, according to Aliyu, who also stated that they were retrieved on Wednesday.
“The dead bodies of the remaining four persons that were trapped inside the pit have been recovered and their bodies have been deposited in the mortuary in Minna.
“They are two Muslims and two Christians. Among the Christian victims, one is from Nasarawa state and one is from Zumba (Shiroro LG).”
“The one from Nasarawa, his family has demanded that his body be taken there for burial, while the remaining Christian and the two Muslims will be buried in Minna on Friday,” he said.
According to Aliyu, the African Minerals and Logistics Ltd. employees and the community worked together to recover the dead.
