Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining with the arrest of two suspected illegal miners and the shutdown of illegal mining sites in Ileki and Ibodi-Jesha, Osun State, as part of efforts to safeguard Nigeria's mineral resources and protect the environment. The suspects, identified as Danladi Isa and Musa Kabiru, both in their twenties, were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation at an illegal artisanal mining camp at Ileki-Ijesa along the Ile-Ife–Ilesa Road on Sunday, 12 July 2026.
The operation was carried out by officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development from its Ogun, Oyo and Osun State offices in collaboration with security agencies, following credible intelligence on the activities of illegal miners in the area. According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise, members of the Solid Minerals Task Force stormed the site after receiving a tip-off.
While several suspects escaped into nearby bushes upon sighting the enforcement team, the two suspects were apprehended. Both suspects are currently assisting investigators with information aimed at identifying and arresting the sponsors and financiers of the illegal operation. The enforcement team dismantled the major operational bases established by the illegal miners and sealed the site in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.
Items recovered during the raid included two motorcycles, pumping machines, Lister generators, mineral washing equipment, large hose pipes, gold-trapping carpets, cutlasses and other mining implements believed to have been used for illegal mining activities. Leading the operation, the Southwest Zonal Mines Officer, Ajibade Ganiyu, said the raid formed part of the Federal Government's sustained efforts to enforce compliance with mining regulations, protect the environment, preserve mineral resources and safeguard lives. He stressed that the ministry would continue surveillance and enforcement operations across the Southwest and other parts of the country to eradicate illegal mining and restore order to the sector.
Similarly, the Osun State Mines Officer, Wasiu Adeboye, said the operation sent a clear message that illegal mining would no longer be tolerated. "This enforcement exercise sends a clear message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated. Sponsors, financiers and perpetrators of these unlawful activities should know that they will continue to face the full weight of the law. We will sustain these operations until illegal mining is brought under control," he warned.
Reacting to the operation, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration's commitment to sanitising the mining sector through stronger enforcement, regulatory reforms, intelligence-driven operations and community engagement. Alake noted that the establishment of the Mining Marshals has significantly strengthened the government's enforcement capacity, resulting in the arrest of more than 300 illegal miners and the prosecution of over 150 suspects, including foreign nationals, while several illegal mining sites have been shut down across the country.
The minister appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of mining communities to support government efforts by providing credible information and refusing to harbour illegal miners. He assured Nigerians that intelligence-led operations would continue across mining corridors nationwide, reiterating that there would be no safe haven for illegal miners and their sponsors as the government moves to reposition the solid minerals sector as a major driver of economic growth. The Federal Government's intensified crackdown on illegal mining is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria's mineral resources are exploited through lawful, transparent and responsible mining practices for the benefit of the nation.
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