Crime
Stakeholders Reveals Reasons For Illegal Mining, Says “Won’t End Without Proper A”ction
Stakeholders Reveals Reasons For Illegal Mining, Says “Won’t End Without Proper A”ction
Stakeholders reveals reasons for illegal mining, says “won’t end without proper action”. Mr Ajibade said controlling people who resort to scavenging for minerals at mining sites due to economic hardships was usually difficult.
Stakeholders in the mining sector have said that illegal mining will persist in Nigeria as long as poverty exists.
They spoke on Sunday in Abuja that, despite Federal Government measures to combat illegal mining, it remains a source of livelihood for many living in poverty.
Sixty-three per cent of persons living in Nigeria are multidimensionally poor, according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report noted that multidimensional poverty was higher in rural areas, where 72 per cent of people are poor, compared to 42 per cent of people in urban areas.
President of the Gemstone Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Adeniran Ajibade, noted that illegal mining was being addressed but could not confirm that it had declined, possibly due to poverty in the country.
Mr Ajibade said controlling people who resort to scavenging for minerals at mining sites due to economic hardships was usually difficult.
He stated, “As long as we have poverty, there will always be people that will be looking at how they can get something from the ground. This is because most of the time when we talk about them as artisanal and small-scale miners, they are highly migratory; they freelance all over the place, in the bush, and are very difficult to control.’’
He said that as part of efforts to address the situation, the government, during reforms in the mining sector in 2007 under a World Bank project, established the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Department.
He explained that the department, domiciled in the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, was created to enumerate and formalise artisanal and small-scale miners, as well as build their capacity to mine efficiently and within the ambit of the law.
According to him, the inauguration of the mining marshals in 2024 contributed to combating illegal mining, especially by large companies, but it remains difficult to apprehend individuals engaged in the practice.
He said, “I also found out that the minister is also establishing a mine marshal office in different parts of the federation. So, with those people there, they will be able to back up the Mines Inspectorate Department and Mines Environment and Compliance Department of the ministry to be able to combat the menace of illegal mining.’’
Similarly, Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, Philip Jakpor, noted that poverty forced several mining communities to become involved in illegal mining.
He stated, “It’s like this: if they leave the resources, others will come and pillage them, so instead of allowing just others to do it, why not also benefit even if it’s little.’’
Mr Akpor noted that mining operations had regulations which mining firms were not adhering to in their quest to maximise profits, noting that they must be compelled to comply, as community members were the victims.
Stakeholders Reveals Reasons For Illegal Mining
A miner, Ladidi Yakubu, said that though poverty could push people into illegal mining, large organisations were perpetrating the crime, some of which have been linked to sponsoring banditry and other crimes in mining areas.
She said, “The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole also attest to the fact that we have big, powerful illegal miners sponsoring banditry. They exploit the vulnerability of the poor to perpetrate their crimes, which is very sad.
We pray that this new administration addresses the hardship Nigerians are experiencing today because things are so difficult.’’
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations
Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers
The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.
According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.
“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.
He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Police
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
Eereporter.com
The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.
During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.
Navy
The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
Eereporter.com
-
Crime2 years agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News2 years agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 years agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?