Abuja, Dec. 12, 2023 – Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, on Tuesday says powerful Nigerians behind illegal mining of the country’s mineral deposits.
Alake said this on Tuesday when he appeared before the House Committee on Solid Minerals to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget.
He also said powerful Nigerians were behind the insecurity in areas of the country with solid mineral deposits.
Alake said government was identifying those individuals with a view to taking appropriate action against them.
“One discovery that we have made is that a lot of these insecurities and banditry associated with this sector are sponsored by illegal miners.
“These are not your artisan miners. They are not the people who pick gold on the ground. These are heavy and powerful individuals in our country. They are Nigerians and not foreigners.
“Nigerians are the powers behind those foreigners that you see on the streets. We are identifying them and employing various strategies, both kinetic and non-Abuja, kinetic. (GBN)
