Dele Alake announces the arrest of 327 illegal mining suspects across Nigeria since 2024 

Alake disclosed this at a news conference celebrating the one-year anniversary of the operations of the Mining Marshals (MM), according to a NAN report on Friday.

The Minister stressed that while the MM has “arrested 327 suspects for illegal mining,” the ministry, in partnership with other agencies, has prosecuted 143 individuals across the country since the MM began operations in 2024.

Recall that the MM was inaugurated on March 21, 2024, to serve as a security outfit tracking illegal mining in the solid minerals sector.

The security personnel comprise largely of officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“This month, the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, sentenced two foreigners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to prison for illegal mining of solid minerals following a case prosecuted by the EFCC. 

“We also commend the EFCC for its diligent prosecution of illegal miners. 

“In May last year, the EFCC successfully prosecuted and secured the conviction of two other foreigners, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, to one year of imprisonment for illegal mining at another Federal High Court, also sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State,” he said. 

“According to our records, the MM recovered over 98 sites last year. This has enabled many license owners to return to sites and resume operations. 

“This will ultimately improve royalties and raise the contribution of solid minerals to the country’s revenue. 

“So far, the MM has identified 457 suspected illegal mining sites and has improved intelligence gathering on these sites,” he added. 

While Nigeria stands as Africa’s leading energy producer, it has struggled to maximize its extensive mineral resources due to insufficient incentives, illegal activities, low investment opportunities, and neglect.

The nation’s underdeveloped mining sector contributes less than 1% to its gross domestic product.