The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, stated that three Chinese nationals and two Nigerians have been arrested for illegal mining in Nasarawa state. This was disclosed by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media; Segun Tomori on Monday in Abuja, said the suspects were arrested at Rafin-Gabas, Agwada, located in Kokona Local Government Area. The Minister bemoaned the company involvement in such operation since 2021, adding that it has resulted to revenue losses to the federal government. The ministry’s mining marshals set up to safeguard mining sites across the country, carried out the arrests based on credible intelligence.
“The suspects were arrested for mining without lawful authorization. Some of the minerals being mined include fluorite, zinc, lead, and tin”.
“The arrested suspects confessed to having been on illicit activities at the site spanning five cadastral units since December 15, 2021.”
“The company defied all lawful advice to regularize their activities and continued siphoning the nation’s resources, causing significant revenue losses to the Federal Government.”
Alake confirmed over 200 illegal miners have been arrested so far, with about 140 undergoing prosecution nationwide.