Convince Your Elders to Stop Backing Illegal Miners, Alake Advises Kogi Youths

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called upon Kogi State's youth to persuade their elders, traditional leaders, and local government officials to abandon their support for illegal mining activities in the region. Speaking during a protest by the Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, Alake emphasized that the backing of illegal miners by these influential community figures is hindering efforts to combat illegal mining and exacerbating environmental degradation.

Alake praised the youths for joining the federal government's anti-illegal mining campaign and assured them that the ministry is leveraging technology and bolstering the presence of Mining Marshals to ramp up the fight against the issue. He highlighted that Kogi State has been a focal point for the ministry, noting that the inaugural deployment of Mining Marshals involved the eviction of illegal miners from the region under Mining Licence 19325, owned by North-South Extractive Industries in Yagba East Local Government Area.

According to Alake, between March 2024 and August 2026, the Mining Marshals identified 374 illegal mining sites, of which 108 have been cleared. He reported that 743 suspects were arrested during this period, and 165 cases involving 430 accused individuals are currently under prosecution, with five convictions achieved so far. Alake disclosed that investigations by various committees established by the ministry, led by its permanent secretaries, have shown that many of the individuals involved in illegal mining are residents of the affected communities.

He stated that illegal miners often succeed in their operations due to the backing and protection provided by elders, traditional rulers, and local government authorities.

The minister warned that illegal mining activities are undermining legitimate mining operations and denying the government revenue. He explained that these activities deprive mining companies of their rightful revenues, including the payment of royalties for the minerals extracted. He emphasized that illegal miners do not obtain licenses nor pay royalties, and they profit at the expense of the Nigerian people.

Earlier, Comrade Isaiah Davies Ijele, the Coordinator of Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, explained that the protest was organized to draw the minister's attention to the worsening environmental degradation in Kogi East Senatorial District, particularly in Ankpa and Omala Local Government Areas. In response, Dr. Vivian Okono, the Director of Mining Environmental Compliance, stated that the ministry is currently compiling a list of mining companies that are defaulting on their Community Development Agreements as a result of the minister's directives.