The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has announced plans to intensify investigations into illegal mining by going after financiers, mineral buyers and public officials suspected of supporting the illicit trade in Nigeria.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the agency would focus on dismantling the financial networks behind illegal mining rather than limiting its operations to arrests of miners at excavation sites.
Olukoyede disclosed this on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at a public lecture and capacity-building workshop organised by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in Ilorin, Kwara State.
He explained that illegal mining was sustained by organised networks involving individuals who provide funding, facilitate transportation, handle documentation, purchase illegally extracted minerals and protect the operations.
According to him, arresting young men working at mining sites without investigating those financing and benefiting from the activities would not effectively address the problem.
He said the commission’s enforcement strategy would therefore prioritise tracing proceeds from illegal mining and identifying individuals and organisations involved in financing the activities.
Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC handled 52 illegal mining cases between October 2023 and July 2026, resulting in the forfeiture of 102 tonnes of solid minerals.
He, however, clarified that the commission was not responsible for regulating the mining industry or issuing mining licences.
He explained that the EFCC’s involvement was limited to investigating suspected corruption, fraud, money laundering, illicit financial transactions and proceeds of criminal activities within the sector.
The EFCC chairman noted that financial investigations were particularly important because proceeds from illegally extracted minerals eventually passed through bank accounts, businesses, payment channels and asset acquisitions.
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He also linked illegal mining to Nigeria’s security challenges, warning that uncontrolled mineral extraction and trading could fuel smuggling, extortion, violence and disputes over territorial control.
Olukoyede cautioned that when criminal groups gained control of economic activities in communities, the consequences extended beyond government revenue losses.
He warned that public officials who abused their positions to facilitate illegal mining, manipulate licences or launder proceeds from mineral theft would also face investigation.
The anti-graft chief called for stronger collaboration among mining regulatory agencies, financial intelligence institutions, security organisations, customs authorities and revenue agencies to improve information sharing and coordinated investigations.
He further urged traditional rulers, community associations, youth organisations, civil society groups and local leaders to establish effective channels for reporting suspicious mining activities.
Olukoyede reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to investigating those financing and facilitating illegal mining, recovering proceeds of crime and prosecuting suspects based on available evidence.
He stressed that Nigeria’s mineral resources should generate economic benefits for citizens rather than enrich criminal networks.