FG demolishes illegal mining site in Kogi after 20 years of operation

The federal government has demolished an illegal mining site located at Jaguna, off Iye and Odogbe communities in the Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, after more than 20 years of illicit activities.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, said the exercise was carried out by the mining marshals, a special security unit established to secure mining sites, with labourers given a five-day ultimatum to vacate the area.

“It will be recalled that on 15th July 2024, Jaguna, an area surrounded by forest, was raided by the Mining Marshals, resulting in the arrest of seven suspected illegal gold miners,” the statement reads.

Alake said that instead of complying, the miners mobilized additional workers and “fortified the site with armed protection.”

The minister said illegal miners also ignored appeals from traditional rulers and other community leaders to vacate the site to allow licensed mineral titleholders unhindered access to the area for legitimate operations.

The minister said the legitimate holders of mining licences had been blocked from accessing the site because of the activities of armed illegal miners for more than 16 years.

“Reports indicate that the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years,” he added.

Alake said the situation necessitated the latest follow-up operation by the mining marshals.

“Acting on intelligence reports suggesting that the illegal operators had remained defiant, the Mining Marshals, last week, stormed the site, neutralized resistance from the armed gangs, and successfully cleared the area,” he said.