The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has announced the arrest of 327 individuals involved in illegal mining across Nigeria since 2024. Alake shared this information during a news conference on Friday, marking the one-year anniversary of the Mining Marshals (MM) operations.
The minister highlighted that while the MM has arrested 327 suspects for illegal mining, the ministry, in collaboration with other agencies, has prosecuted 143 individuals nationwide since the MM began its operations in 2024. The Mining Marshals were inaugurated on March 21, 2024, to act as a security force focused on curbing illegal mining activities within the solid minerals sector. The team primarily consists of officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
During the event, Alake revealed that the MM’s main goal for 2025 is to secure the conviction of the 327 suspects already in court, which will serve as a deterrent and ensure greater compliance with the law in the mining industry.
The minister also acknowledged the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, praising their contributions in the effort to clean up the solid minerals sector. He noted that this month, the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, sentenced two foreigners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to prison for illegal mining, following a case prosecuted by the EFCC.
Alake further stated that the MM has made significant progress in addressing the growing issue of illegal mining, which has been worsened by companies working with individual miners to carry out illegal activities. The MM’s primary operations have taken place in 10 states: Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. In 2025, the MM plans to expand its operations into more regions of the country.
To strengthen their efforts, Alake assured that the MM would receive additional personnel, vehicles, and equipment.
The Commandant of the Mining Marshals, John Attah expressed gratitude to the minister for his support and urged the public to view the MM’s work as a national priority.
