33 arrested as Niger government cracks down on illegal mining

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 - Niger State government has arrested 33 suspected illegal miners in the Gbokuchi-Kotongba area of Paikoro Local Government.

The raid, which took place on February 17, 2025, was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Mineral Resources, Alhaji Yunusa Nahauni, in collaboration with the State Sector Commandant/Men of Mining Marshall and the Forest Hunters Association.

The arrested miners were found to be operating on a mining title belonging to another company without permission, and had been doing so for over ten years.

A water pumping machine was also seized during the operation.

According to a local source, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, the illegal mining camp had been in operation for over a decade, with many of the miners found asleep at odd hours, raising suspicions about other illicit operations occurring at night.

Alhaji Nahauni emphasized the importance of community involvement in reporting illegal activities and criticized the village head and community elders for failing to report the illegal mining.

He reiterated the state government’s firm stance against illegal mining, reminding the public of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s directive suspending all unauthorized mining operations due to security concerns.

“We cannot afford to be complacent. The state government has a clear vision to sanitize the mining sector, and we will continue to take proactive steps to expose those hiding under the guise of mining while engaging in illegal activities,” he stated.

The Permanent Secretary also raised concerns about the presence of undocumented foreign miners, questioning how they gained entry into the state without detection.

He called on the Nigeria Immigration Service to investigate their entry routes and strengthen border security.

The Niger State government also pledged to continue its efforts to eradicate illegal mining and ensure that mining operations comply with legal standards while assuring residents that there is no going back in the fight against illegal mining.

Furthermore, he urged communities to collaborate by reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Alhaji Nahauni commended the efforts of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, including the Honorable Commissioner, Garba Sabo Yahaya, directors, and the Information Officer, for their dedication to enforcing mining regulations and protecting state resources.

The arrested miners will be charged to court within 24 hours.