We’ve recovered over 90 mining sites from illegal miners – FG

…Adeleke accuses APC federal appointees plans to hijack Osun government ahead election

The Federal Government, on Thursday declared that no fewer than 90 mining sites have been recovered from illegal miners across the country.

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, disclosed this in Akure at the Southwest stakeholders’ dialogue organised by Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba social-cultural group; DAWN Commission, and Southwest governors, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress. Charting the Future.”

He added that over 300 illegal miners had been arrested with 50 of them being prosecuted, stating that over 20 illegal miners had been convicted since the inception of the present administration.

According to him, the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has established mining marshals with a purpose to secure mining sites.

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The minister noted that the Federal Government raked in N28 billion as revenue in 2024 from the ministry, adding that the ministry over-performed on its budgetary target in 2024.

Alake said that the current administration’s policy on mining was that the mined minerals should not be exported raw except undergone local process in giving it value chain.

He cautioned traditional rulers not to connive with illegal miners irrespective of financial inducements, saying the future of the country must not be traded.

While Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke accused Federal appointees of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the state of planning to hijack his government ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

Pointedly, Adeleke said the “federal party officials boast of powers to deploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials. On many occasions, officials of the federal ruling party have openly declared their readiness to hijack the state whether the people voted for them or not. Worst still, they have security cover when making such provocative declarations.”

Adeleke said; “it would interest the audience to know that in Osun state, some security agencies openly protect and defend ruling party operatives even when they act in ways and manners against the law and the constitution.”

Represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, the governor said further; “as if that is not enough, the Osun local government fund was seized without any court order from earlier this year. Duly elected local government officials were not allowed to assume office and those sacked by a subsisting court order were forced on the local government secretariats by federal power and security apparatus. All the facts are in the public domain.

“I cite all above details to shed light on impunity and abuse of power as a major impediment to a virile national and subnational collaboration.

“As a government Osun state has demonstrated the willingness and readiness for productive partnership and interaction. Despite hostile posturing, Osun is always a top participant in federal peer review of the 36 states. In our engagements with the centre, several federal agencies have recognised Osun’s positive records in governance delivery.”

Adeleke, also said Southwest region must additionally leverage on federal support to develop agro industrialization with each state adopting a product in which it has relative strength.

He maintained that there must be a strategic outlook having development of the region as a priority irrespective of governing parties at subnational level.

The Governor, therefore, said that embarking on the development of a circular cargo railway project for the Southwest in partnership with the Federal Government, will go along way to develop the region.

According to him, “we must additionally develop a network of dry ports across the zone, all linked with the circular railway project. It is our position that the South West must elevate power applications beyond partisan considerations.

“For security, we must enhance and strengthen Amotekun instead of current efforts to demonise the body based on partisan considerations.

“More importantly, we must never deploy federal power against ourselves no matter the differences. We must develop an internal clearing house where disagreements can be sorted.

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“I must warn that we must never compromise democracy in our quest for development. As the most literate segment of the Nigerian society, the Southwest must enhance and protect the rights of its citizens to vote and be voted for. Southwest should be the bastion of free and fair elections in Nigeria. We must avoid the temptation to rig elections as the consequences have never been palatable. The rights of the people as expressed through the ballot boxes must be respected.”

In his remarks, the Director-General of the Development Agenda of Western Nigeria (DAWN), Seye Oyeleye, said the summit was an opportunity to build institutions capable of bridging inter-regional divides.

“We seek platforms that create pathways to collaboration around our shared values, shared heritage, and shared destiny. History teaches us that progress is built on partnerships, not isolation.

“We must ensure that this becomes an enduring institutional platform through which South-West engages with the Federal Government, starting from today and into the foreseeable future,” he stated.