The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has warned community leaders and local authorities in Kogi State against shielding illegal miners, as the Federal Government intensifies its crackdown on illegal mining and environmental degradation.
Alake issued the warning when he received members of the Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, who protested at the ministry over alleged environmental destruction arising from mining activities in Kogi East.
The minister disclosed that the Mining Marshals had identified 374 illegal mining sites in Kogi State between March 2024 and August 2026, out of which 108 sites had been cleared, while 743 suspects were arrested.
He added that 165 cases involving 430 accused persons are currently being prosecuted, while five convictions have so far been secured.
According to Alake, investigations have revealed that many illegal miners operating in the state are indigenes who allegedly receive support from community elders, traditional rulers and local government officials.
He therefore urged Kogi youths to challenge such leaders and engage them on the need to stop providing protection or other forms of support to illegal miners.
The minister said illegal mining was not only causing serious environmental damage but also depriving licensed mining companies and the government of legitimate revenue, as illegal operators evade licence fees, royalties and other statutory payments.
Alake said the Federal Government was deploying technology and strengthening the capacity of the Mining Marshals to improve surveillance and enforcement across mining communities.
He warned that the government would continue to pursue illegal miners and those facilitating their activities, stressing that the deployment of technology would make it increasingly difficult for operators and their collaborators to evade detection.
The protesters, led by their coordinator, Isaiah Davies Ijele, had called for urgent investigations into mining activities in Ankpa and Omala Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
They alleged that mining activities in the affected communities had damaged roads and farmlands while also polluting water sources and worsening environmental degradation.
Responding to the concerns, the ministry said it was also compiling a list of mining companies allegedly failing to fulfil their obligations under Community Development Agreements.
The ministry said the names of companies found to be in breach of their obligations would be published as part of measures to strengthen compliance and enforcement within the mining sector.
The Federal Government has continued to intensify efforts to curb illegal mining, protect host communities and ensure that Nigeria derives maximum economic and environmental benefits from its mineral resources.
