Osun
The Federal Government has arrested two suspected illegal miners during a coordinated enforcement operation that led to the closure of an illegal mining site in Osun State.
The suspects, Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both in their twenties, are casual workers.
Both are giving useful information that would help investigators fish out their sponsors.
The operation, carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from Ogun, Oyo and Osun states in collaboration with security agencies, targeted illegal artisanal mining camps at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife-Ilesa Road.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise, said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of illegal miners operating in the area.
According to the ministry, members of the Solid Minerals Task Force stormed the site after receiving a tip-off.
While several suspects fled into nearby bushes on sighting the enforcement team, two suspected illegal miners were arrested, while several mining equipment and tools used for the illicit operations were confiscated.
The enforcement team also dismantled the major operational bases established by the illegal miners and sealed the site in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.
Items recovered during the raid included two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, mineral washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other mining implements believed to have been used for illegal mining activities.
Speaking during the operation, the Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Ajibade Ganiyu, who led the enforcement team, said the raid was part of the Federal Government’s sustained efforts to enforce compliance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, protect the environment, safeguard lives and preserve the nation’s mineral resources from illegal exploitation.
Ganiyu said the operation was carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from the Ogun, Oyo and Osun State offices in collaboration with security agencies. He explained that the team acted on credible intelligence and moved to the suspected illegal mining camp, where several suspects fled into nearby bushes on sighting the enforcement team, while two suspects were arrested and mining equipment used for the illegal operations was confiscated. He added that the enforcement team dismantled the major operational bases established by the illegal miners.
He stressed that the ministry remains committed to conducting continuous surveillance and enforcement operations across the South-West and other parts of the country to eliminate illegal mining and restore sanity to the sector.
The zonal mines officer reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to rid Nigeria of illegal mining and criminal elements exploiting the nation’s mineral resources.
Punch