327 illegal mining suspects arrested since 2024- Alake
327 illegal mining suspects were arrested across Nigeria since 2024, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.
Alake disclosed this at a news conference on Friday while celebrating the one-year anniversary of the operations of the Mining Marshals (MM).
The minister said that the ministry in partnership with other agencies, has prosecuted 143 individuals across the country since the MM began operations in 2024.
The MM was inaugurated on March 21, 2024, to serve as a security outfit tracking illegal mining in the solid minerals sector. The security personnel comprise largely of officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Speaking at the event, Alake stated that the Marshals’ key target for 2025 is to secure the conviction of the 327 individuals already arraigned in court.
According to him, this will enhance deterrence in the mining sector and enforce compliance with the law.
He appreciated the contributions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Army, highlighting that their efforts have helped in the drive to sanitize the solid minerals sector.
“This month, the Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, sentenced two foreigners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, to prison for illegal mining of solid minerals following a case prosecuted by the EFCC”, he added.
