Two Arrested As FG Seals Osun Gold Mining Site

The Federal Government says it arrested two suspected illegal miners during a coordinated enforcement operation that led to the closure of an illegal mining site in Osun State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise.

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.

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, and 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.

The statement noted, “The operation, which was carried out by officials from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Ogun, Oyo and Osun State offices, in collaboration with security agencies, targeted illegal artisanal mining camps at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife/Ilesa Road.

“Acting on a tip-off, personnel of the Solid Minerals task force swooped down on the suspected illegal miners. However, on sighting the joint task team, some suspects fled into nearby bushes. Two suspects were, however, arrested, while mining equipment and other tools used in the illegal operation were confiscated. The enforcement team also dismantled the major operational bases established by the illegal miners.”

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 formed 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.

He stressed that the ministry remains committed to conducting continuous surveillance and enforcement operations across the Southwest and other parts of the country to eliminate illegal mining and restore sanity to the sector.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering determination to rid Nigeria of illegal mining and criminal elements exploiting the nation’s mineral resources.

Also speaking, the Osun State Mines Officer, Mr Wasiu Adeboye, warned that the operation should serve as a strong signal that illegal mining would no longer be tolerated in any part of the country.

He said, “This enforcement exercise sends a clear message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated. Sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of these unlawful activities should know that they will continue to face the full weight of the law. We will sustain these operations until illegal mining is brought under control.”

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Reacting to the operation, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the Tinubu administration had made the sanitisation of the mining sector a national priority through a combination of stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence gathering and community engagement.

According to him, the establishment of the Mining Marshals has significantly strengthened the government’s enforcement capacity, leading to the arrest of more than 300 illegal miners and the prosecution of over 150 suspects, including foreign nationals, while several illegal mining sites have been shut down across the country.

He stated that the ongoing nationwide enforcement operations are part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth benefits the country through lawful, transparent and responsible mining activities.

The minister, who also serves as Chairman of the African Mineral Strategy Group, said Nigeria’s firm stance against illegal mining reflects the growing continental resolve to promote responsible mineral governance, curb illicit exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources and maximise value addition for sustainable economic development.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and residents in mining communities to support the Federal Government’s efforts by refusing to harbour or shield illegal miners and by providing credible information to security agencies and the ministry.