The federal government of Nigeria has resolved to take tougher measures against powerful Nigerians whose involvement in illegal mining has been identified as clear cause of deadly banditry and terrorism across the nation.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake, on Tuesday, Jan. 23 in South West Ibadan said the government was committed to ending illegal mining in the country’s mining sector and by extension tackle the menace of banditry..
He said a lot of banditry, terrorism and insecurity which were being associated with the mining sector were actually sponsored by illegal miners who are powerful people in the society.
“There are a lot of connivance among the strata of the society —- both high, medium and low classes of the society —- in the nation’s mining sector.
“But the Federal Government is working together with the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, who have efficient knowledge of the local terrain to address the issue.
“Illegal mining is not exclusive to the high class alone, but cuts across the strata of our society. So, we are employing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies and tactics to address the menace,” Alake said.
He disclosed that the government would await the final report of the forensic investigations into the causes, effects and possible remedy to the last week explosion Bodija estate probably caused by mining explosives stored at home.
Alake however said it was going to be after this that government would take critical decisions on the unfortunate incident.
“It would be presumptuous for the Federal Government to take any solid pronouncement or categorical announcement now.
“We will examine all the forensic analysis reports, and all the investigations from all the agencies and various intelligence arms of the security agencies.
“They are all working round the clock to provide an authentic and viable forensic report to the Federal Government.
”When the reports are ready, the Federal Government will be on a solid platform to make an informed judgment and a categorical statement.
“The final forensic report will also help the Federal Government in taking appropriate decisions concerning the victims of this ugly incident.
“Anything before then will be presumptuous and can be misleading at the end of the day,” he said.
The minister urged Nigerians to be conscious and always report suspicious movements and businesses in their environment, noting that failure to report early always lead to negative results.
“We need to be safety-conscious and develop the attitude of reporting atrocious activities in our neighbourhood.
”Fir example, no one will expect that such deadly explosives could be stored in an elite estate like this without suspicion,” he said.
