At a media parley organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council in Abuja, themed “The Fight Against Illegal Mining: Role of the Media,” FCT Police Commissioner Ajao Adewale revealed that illegal mining, costing Nigeria $9 billion (N13.7 trillion) annually, is a cartel-driven enterprise led by influential Nigerians.
These cartels, using foreigners as fronts, fuel terrorism and banditry, posing a severe threat to national security.
Adewale cited NEITI reports and Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, noting that these networks control extraction in remote areas, with hotspots in Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Osun, and parts of the FCT, including Gwagwalada and Kuje.
Between 2023 and 2024, 72 suspects were arrested by the NSCDC, Police, and EFCC in the FCT.
Mining Marshals Commander Attah Onoja highlighted the Tinubu administration’s efforts to dismantle illegal camps and prosecute offenders, despite challenges like propaganda and logistical constraints.
He urged media collaboration to combat the cartels. Miners Association of Nigeria President Dele Ayanleke described illegal mining as a crisis driven by corruption and poverty, citing child labor and environmental damage.
NUJ FCT Chairman Grace Ike called for investigative journalism to expose the issue, emphasizing balanced reporting to drive policy action and amplify affected communities’ voices.
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