Kehinde Fajobi
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has alleged that retired military generals are responsible for illegal mining operations across Nigeria.
Oshiomhole made the accusation during a meeting where Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, presented the 2025 budget report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Oshiomhole argued that the government’s push to diversify the economy would fail unless the issue of illegal mining was addressed.
He emphasised the need for strong action against the practice, stating, “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 did a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter when he was in office.”
He also shared his personal experience, recalling how a team he sent to Zamfara to conduct primary elections reported difficulties caused by illegal miners.
He urged the government to take more decisive action, suggesting, “If we have to fight this menace, we need to deploy the Army even to kill anyone who is involved in illegal pumping of oil. We should also deploy JTFs, comprising the Army, Police, Air force, against them.”
The committee members supported Oshiomhole’s call, agreeing that security forces must address the problem urgently.
The Chairman of the panel confirmed that they had unanimously agreed to significantly increase the budget for the Ministry of Solid Minerals.