The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged Kogi communities to intensify efforts against illegal mining and environmental degradation. He made the call on Thursday September 3 while addressing Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, who protested alleged damage from mining activities in Ankpa and Omala Local Government Areas.
Represented by the Director of Mining Inspectorate, Imam Ganiyu, Alake urged youths to mobilise community leaders and local authorities to support enforcement efforts. He called on communities to stop protecting illegal miners, assuring that the Federal Government was deploying technology and strengthening the Mining Marshals to intensify operations nationwide.
Alake said 374 illegal mining sites had been identified across the country between March 2024 and August 2026, with 108 sites cleared, 743 suspects arrested and 165 cases involving 430 accused persons currently being prosecuted. He added that five convictions had so far been secured, while investigations in Kogi indicated that some illegal mining operations involved indigenes and community stakeholders.
The minister condemned illegal miners for exploiting resources belonging to licensed operators and warned that enforcement would be intensified. The youth group alleged that illegal mining had damaged roads and farmlands and polluted water sources in affected communities, urging the government to deploy more Mines Inspectorate officials and Mining Marshals to Kogi.
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