FG Arrests Two Suspected Illegal Miners in Ijesaland, Seizes Mining Equipment

The Federal Government has arrested two suspected illegal miners during a raid on an illegal mining site in Osun State.

The operation took place at an illegal artisanal mining camp in Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife/Ilesa Road. It was carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from Ogun, Oyo and Osun states, working with security agencies.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister's Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, the suspects are helping investigators identify the people behind the illegal mining operation.

The suspects were identified as Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both in their twenties. During the raid, some other suspects escaped into nearby bushes.

Security officials dismantled the illegal mining camp, sealed the site and recovered several items used for mining. The items included two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other mining tools.

The Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Mr. Ajibade Ganiyu, who led the operation, said the raid was part of the Federal Government's efforts to enforce the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, protect the environment and safeguard the country's mineral resources.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the Tinubu administration is committed to ending illegal mining through stronger enforcement, better intelligence and community support.

He said more than 300 suspected illegal miners have been arrested across the country, while over 150 suspects, including foreign nationals, have been prosecuted.

Alake urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of mining communities to support the government by reporting illegal mining activities. He assured Nigerians that the ministry would continue intelligence-led operations to stop illegal mining and bring offenders to justice.