Authorities in Niger State have arrested 33 suspected illegal miners in Gbokuchi-Kotongba, Paikoro Local Government Area.
The miners were apprehended during a joint operation led by the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources, NSCDC, and Forest Hunters Association.
Alhaji Yunusa Nahauni, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, coordinated the raid, which targeted miners operating illegally for over a decade.
Local sources disclosed that the miners had worked on land owned by another company without proper authorization.
Nahauni criticized the village head and elders for ignoring the illegal activities, despite being aware of them.
He reaffirmed Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s directive to halt unauthorized mining operations due to rising security concerns.
“The state government will continue exposing individuals hiding under mining activities to commit illegal acts,” Nahauni declared.
He urged residents to report suspicious mining activities to authorities to support efforts in sanitizing the mining sector.
Additionally, Nahauni expressed concern about undocumented foreign miners and urged the Nigeria Immigration Service to investigate.
He emphasized the state’s determination to eliminate illegal mining, calling for community collaboration in the ongoing crackdown.
