Diversion of explosives: Minister recalls federal mines officers

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has ordered the immediate recall of all federal mines officers in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister, who gave the directive yesterday, said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, that the development became necessary as part of measures to strengthen the institutional capacity of the ministry to cooperate with the security agencies in ensuring the security of lives and property in the country, as well as safety of the environment.

The development came barely 24 hours after the ministry blacklisted and withdrew the explosives licences of a Koko, Delta State -based firm for the illegal diversion of explosives. Accordingly, all the affected officers are to report to the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja for further directives on their next assignments.

The statement added that letters to this effect had been dispatched to the state and zonal offices of the ministry nationwide. “In the pursuit of our mandate to deepen the productivity of the mining industry, we will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to guarantee that the security of lives and property, as well as safety of the environment is not compromised,” the minister said.