Senator Adams Oshiomhole has urged the Nigerian government to take stronger measures against illegal mining, stressing that only “superior power” can effectively address the issue.
The Edo North Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior made this call during an interview with Arise Television on Tuesday.
Oshiomhole noted that highly influential individuals are behind illegal mining in Nigeria, making it difficult to curb without stronger enforcement. He compared the situation to illegal oil bunkering, suggesting that the same level of military force used to combat oil theft should be applied to illegal mining.
“I would like to see government deploying the same amount of force in protecting our solid minerals and dealing with those who are involved in illegal mining just like illegal bunkering, with the same force of JTF to deal with anyone involved, because the people involved are powerful, only superior power can neutralize them,” Oshiomhole stated.
The senator had previously made comments about retired military officials being involved in illegal mining. However, he later clarified that he was misquoted, explaining that he was referring to “some retired Generals” and not all.
Oshiomhole also raised concerns about the ease with which foreign and local actors engage in illegal mining operations across the country. He questioned how foreign miners, who are not geologists, are able to locate mineral-rich sites so easily and extract resources without proper oversight.
“It is absolutely impossible for anyone, particularly foreigners far away outside the African continent, coming to Nigeria, locating a site, not being geologists, and they go straight to where they can find solid minerals and they start mining it and they take it away,” he said.
