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The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has expressed frustration that elites in Nigeria are obstructing efforts to arrest illegal miners.
Represented by Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo at an investigative hearing in Abuja, General Musa noted that when foreign nationals involved in illegal mining are apprehended, they often claim to have connections with influential individuals.
Pointing out that these connections may lead to their release, undermining the efforts of security agencies.
General Musa emphasised the need to strengthen the regulatory framework governing mining in Nigeria, stressing on the military’s experience with illegal mining operations.
“In 2018 or so, during the last administration, there was a ban on illegal mining in South Africa, South Africa, and Nigeria, which even established a gold mine zone. Despite that ban, mining licences were being issued to people to mine in that zone. So the strengthening of the institutional framework is very key.”
- Calling for tough sanctions for those involved in the act, the CDS maintained, “Anybody caught in this illegal mining must be dealt with decisively and examples should be made publicly for others to know.
