Stakeholders in the mining and security sectors have warned that illegal mining continues to fuel insecurity and drain Nigeria of billions in lost revenue, stressed that the media must play a frontline role in sustaining the fight against the menace.
This was the consensus at a media parley and workshop organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council with the theme “Sustaining the Fight Against Illegal Mining: The Role of the Media.”
In her welcome address, NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, described illegal mining as a threat to national security, natural resources, and the environment. She called on journalists to go beyond reportage by exposing the human and ecological costs while holding policymakers accountable.
The Commandant of the Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, said the specialized unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was established to sanitize the mining sector and protect Nigeria’s mineral resources. He noted that illegal mining has robbed the country of billions of naira, destroyed farmlands, and displaced peaceful communities.
“The fight cannot be won by government alone. Communities and, most importantly, the media are critical partners in safeguarding our mineral resources,” Onoja emphasized.
Also speaking, FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, disclosed that Nigeria has lost over ₦41.1 billion to illegal mining in addition to lives lost and communities destabilized. He linked the menace to rising insecurity in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and even parts of the FCT.
From the operators’ perspective, Mr. Dele Ayanleke, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, explained that illegal mining is not limited to artisanal miners, noted that even licensed operators could be culpable when they exceeded the scope of their permits or ignore environmental and safety standards. He urged the media to clarify misconceptions and advocate for policy reforms.
The workshop ended with a call for stronger collaboration between security agencies, government regulators, operators, host communities, and the media to confront the menace and promote sustainable mining practices. Certificates of participation were later presented to journalists at the workshop.
