Retired Military Generals Behind Illegal Mining Activities – Oshiomhole

Accuses Federal Government of Double Standards

 

 

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has raised serious concerns about the involvement of retired military generals and influential elites in the widespread illegal mining activities across Nigeria. The senator, who is also a former governor of Edo State, warned that these illicit operations not only deprive the nation of critical revenue but also hamper efforts to diversify the economy.

Oshiomhole made these remarks during a session of the Senate Committee on Appropriation in Abuja on Friday, where the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Sampson Ekong, presented recommendations for the 2025 Appropriation Bill. The former governor made a sharp condemnation of illegal mining syndicates that he said are operating with the backing of powerful individuals.

According to Oshiomhole, certain retired military officers and their foreign collaborators are behind illegal mining operations, arming miners and even using helicopters to extract and export valuable minerals like gold.

“This issue runs deep, and the illegal mining activities are well-organized. They use helicopters, procure weapons, and operate using sophisticated technologies,” he explained. “Just like the oil bunkering in the South-South, these illegal miners use apps to coordinate their operations, bringing in choppers to cart away gold, which is then smuggled out of the country, generating billions of dollars in the process.”

He criticized the federal government for its lack of adequate response to the problem, pointing out that he had previously warned about the involvement of powerful individuals when he served as the National Chairman of the APC. “I took a letter to the former president, urging him to call in the generals for a briefing. I foresaw that criminal groups would be empowered by these individuals,” he said.

Oshiomhole explained that these illegal mining operations are often protected by armed men, many of whom are deployed to guard foreign nationals, including Chinese workers involved in the illegal activities. The weapons used in these mining operations, he said, are later diverted for other criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping.

“These illegal operators are armed, and the weapons are later used for other crimes, creating a vicious cycle of insecurity. Let’s be honest, some retired military officers and high-ranking officials are involved. Until we address this head-on, the country cannot flourish,” Oshiomhole stressed.

He also expressed frustration with the government’s lack of action in addressing illegal mining despite widespread awareness of the situation. “We know who is involved and where illegal mining is happening. Certain individuals operate freely, enriching themselves while Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences, such as insecurity and economic hardship,” he said.

Oshiomhole called on his colleagues in the Senate to move beyond mere lamentation and push the executive to take decisive action against illegal mining. “We need to apply the same force used against illegal oil bunkering to combat illegal mining. It doesn’t matter who is involved, whether it’s a retired general, a public official, or a labor leader. Criminals must face justice.”

The senator also noted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, which could be a significant driver of the economy if properly managed. He pointed out that oil was discovered by accident while searching for solid minerals, and that sector could contribute up to 50% of the country’s GDP if properly developed. However, it currently contributes only 0.05% due to weak regulation and enforcement.

Oshiomhole criticized the inadequate funding allocated to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, noting that the ministry generated ₦37 billion in revenue despite receiving a modest budget of ₦9 billion last year. He urged the federal government to increase funding for the sector to harness its full potential.

Senator Ekong’s committee has recommended a capital budget of ₦539 billion for the ministry in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, a significant increase from the previous year’s allocation.

“The paltry budget for solid minerals shows we are not serious about diversifying our economy,” Oshiomhole said. “With proper funding, this sector could generate substantial revenue, which would be a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy.”

Oshiomhole’s remarks have drawn attention to the widespread issues plaguing Nigeria’s mining sector, highlighting the need for urgent reforms, improved security measures, and adequate funding to curb illegal mining activities and maximize the sector’s potential for national development.