Seven Suspected Illegal Miners Arrested In Kogi State
The suspects were arrested by the mining Marshals during a clearance exercise last week.
At least seven suspected illegal miners have been arrested at Jaguna, off Iye/Odogbe communities in the Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The suspects were arrested by the mining Marshals during a clearance exercise last week.
This was contained in a statement by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja on Saturday, noting that the arrest followed the refusal of the suspects to vacate the mining site after being warned by the Marshals.
He stressed that the rightful mining license holders had been unable to access the location due to the activities of armed illegal miners for over 16 years.
The statement reads in part; “on 15th July 2024, the mine site in Jaguna was raided by the Mining Marshals, resulting in the arrest of some labourers on-site and were directed to vacate the area within five days.
“Rather than comply with the directive, the illegal miners mobilised additional workers and fortified the site with armed protection. This led to the latest operation by the Mining Marshals to dislodge them.
“The follow-up action was necessary after the illegal miners also ignored appeals from community traditional rulers to vacate the site. This was to allow the licensed mineral titleholders unhindered access to the area for legitimate operations.
“For over 16 years, the rightful mining license holders have been unable to access the location due to the activities of armed illegal miners.
“Acting on intelligence reports suggesting that the illegal operators had remained defiant, the Mining Marshals, last week, stormed the site, neutralised the resistance from the armed guards, and successfully cleared the area.”
