Tinubu directs security agencies to crack down on illegal miners

• Four dead bodies recovered two months after mining pit collapse in Niger
• Remove mining law from exclusive legislative list, Ondo Commissioner tells FG

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed security agencies to intensify efforts to crack down on illegal miners across the country. The President also urged companies engaged in mineral exploration in the country to prioritise the health and safety of Nigerians and the host communities.

The President spoke at the State House, Abuja, when he received visiting Course 32 participants of the National Defence College (NDC) who made a presentation titled: ‘Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035.’

The course participants were tasked with researching topical national issues, and their findings during their 11-month study focused on the mining industry’s potential to contribute to national security and development.

Responding to the presentation delivered by Colonel Olajide Bello on behalf of the delegation, President Tinubu commended their work and reiterated the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s economy.

‘’I have listened carefully to your presentation on the theme. Aside from your knowledge of war and security, I could see the intellectual depth of the work done to help the nation, and I must say thank you to all of you.

‘’We have challenges of scavengers and exploiters around the country. We must nip that in the bud, and you military officers understand this better than the civil society. ‘We expect that through your command, we will have more resources that we need to make sure we have a stable economic environment,’’ the President said.

In his remarks, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, Commandant, NDC, said the institution, established in 1992 as the National War College, has graduated 2,871 participants since inception. The 111 participants of NDC Course 32 were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as 19 international participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.

MEANWHILE, two months after a mining accident in Galadima-Kogo community of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State, the bodies of four trapped miners have been recovered. The incident, which occurred on June 3, initially claimed the lives of 20 people, with 14 more said to still be trapped underground at the time.

The Village Head of Galadima-Kogo, Umaru Aliyu, reported that the four bodies were recovered on Wednesday evening and deposited at the IBB Specialist Hospital mortuary in Minna. The collapse was believed to have been caused by torrential rains that softened the soil, leading to the pit caving in.

This is as the Ondo State Joint Security Task Force in collaboration with the Nigerian Army has arrested 12 suspects that are linked with illegal mining in the state. The Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Mr. Olugbenga Atiba, while briefing newsmen on the development, in Akure explained that proactive measures are being implemented to curb the menace of illegal mining and other security challenges in the State.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe, provided insights into the regulatory framework governing mining activities in the state. He explained: “There is a federal law, the Mining Act 2007, that governs mining activities across the country.

“It is within the purview of the Federal Government, but the state has the responsibility to ensure that any activity, be it mining or oil and gas, is controlled to protect the environment.

“We periodically conduct inspections, employing law enforcement agencies to ensure that illegal activities are promptly addressed, and culprits are brought to book. Security is a major concern. Illegal miners, often from other countries, operate without licenses, leading to environmental degradation and increased security threats.”

Regarding long-term strategies, the commissioner emphasised decentralising governance, saying: “Mining stewardship should not be on the exclusive list of our constitution. It should be ceded to subnational entities, as governors are better positioned to know what is happening in their states.”

He also highlighted the government’s support for legitimate miners, stating: “We provide education and periodic interactions to ensure that artisanal miners operate responsibly and have the necessary licenses.”