Retired generals, powerful elite behind illegal mining in Nigeria, Oshiomhole alleges

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has raised the alarm over the alleged involvement of retired military generals and influential elite in illegal mining activities across Nigeria.

According to the senator, these activities not only rob the nation of critical revenue but also undermine efforts to diversify the economy. Oshiomhole, who is also a former governor of Edo State, spoke during the Senate Committee on Appropriation budget session on Friday, where Chairman of the Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Sampson Ekong, presented recommendations for the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Oshiomhole alleged that certain retired generals and their foreign collaborators sponsor illegal mining operations, arming miners and using helicopters to extract and export gold and other valuable minerals.

He said: “This issue goes beyond the surface to the root cause. Let me explain: Those involved in illegal mining are heavily organised. They use choppers, procure arms, and operate sophisticated systems.

“They do this in much the same way as oil bunkering was done in the South-South. They even use apps to coordinate operations, bringing in choppers to cart away gold, smuggling it out of the country, and making billions of U.S. dollars in the process.

“The Federal Government isn’t doing enough to address this. When I was the National Chairman of the APC, I took a letter to the former president, asking him to call in the generals for a briefing.

“I warned that what is happening now was exactly what those generals had foreseen –  powerful individuals have weaponised criminal groups.

“These illegal operators deploy armed men to secure mining sites, primarily to protect the foreign nationals they employ for illegal mining.

“These same weapons are later used for banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes.

“Let’s be honest; some retired military officers and high-ranking officials are involved. The truth is unless we confront this issue head-on, this country cannot flourish.  We must not turn a blind eye just because certain individuals are seen as ‘above the law.’”

Continuing, he said: “We know where illegal mining is happening and who is responsible. We have heard complaints about the involvement of certain nationalities, yet these individuals operate freely, enriching themselves while our people grow poorer.”

“They can afford to buy choppers, land at illegal mining sites, extract gold, and fly it out of the country with ease. Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of the consequences – banditry, insecurity, and economic hardship.

“As senators, we must do more than lament. We should demand that the executive deploys the same force used against illegal oil bunkering to tackle illegal mining.

“It doesn’t matter who is involved; a retired general, a public servant, or even a labour leader. Criminals must face justice. The government needs to show Nigerians that it does not condone these activities.

“The solid minerals sector has immense potential. Let us not forget that oil was discovered by accident; what we were originally looking for were solid minerals.

“Now, we’re at a crossroad where we must recommit to developing this sector. Through the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly, we must draw the President’s attention to the urgent need for political will to decisively address these crimes and harness our natural resources for the good of our economy.”

He further criticised the Federal Government for applying double standards in addressing illegal mining compared to its crackdown on oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.

“If we can deploy joint military task forces to combat oil bunkering, why are we lenient with illegal miners? It’s time to deploy the same level of force and ruthlessness,” he added.

Oshiomhole emphasised that the economic potential of the solid minerals sector remains untapped due to weak enforcement of regulations. He claimed the sector could contribute up to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP if properly managed but currently accounts for only 0.05 per cent.

The committee has recommended a capital budget of ₦539 billion, up from the ₦9 billion initially proposed.

“The paltry budget allocated to the solid minerals sector shows we are not serious about diversifying our economy. Despite its meagre allocation last year, the ministry generated ₦37 billion in revenue. Imagine what could be achieved with proper funding,” Oshiomhole remarked.