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Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, has alleged that retired military generals are deeply implicated in the illegal mining activities spreading across Nigeria. He described the operations as highly organized, hinting at the involvement of individuals with influence and access to resources capable of evading regulatory oversight.
Oshiomhole called for urgent government intervention to address the issue and prevent further exploitation of the country’s mineral wealth.
Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, made the allegation on Friday during a Senate session. His remarks came as Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, presented the 2025 budget report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
The former Governor of Edo State, now a member of the Appropriations Committee, asserted that the retired military generals allegedly tied to illegal mining are known to both him and the public. He recalled writing to former President Muhammadu Buhari during his time in office, drawing attention to the pervasive nature of illegal mining and its implications.
Oshiomhole said, “The ongoing illegal mining across the country is being carried out by retired generals, and we know them. Yes, we know them. Nobody in Africa doesn’t know them. I wrote a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter when he was in office.
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“This is because a team that I sent to go and conduct the primary somewhere reported back to me the challenge of conducting primary elections in Zamfara because of the illegal miners.
“If we have to fight this menace, we need to deploy the Army even to kill anyone who is involved in the illegal pumping of oil. We should also deploy JTFs, comprising the Army, Police, and Air force, against them.”
Oshiomhole said the country’s efforts to diversify its economy would remain a mirage if President Bola Tinubu’s administration failed to address the issue of illegal mining.
The panel agreed with Oshiomhole’s submissions and urged various security agencies to take up the challenge.