Inside Nigeria’s war on Illegal Mining: Gains and gaps

BY MARTHA AGAS

On Sept. 11, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, a commander of the Ansaru terrorist group. He was handed a 15-year jail term for engaging in illegal mining activities in Nigeria.

Usman, alongside his deputy, Abubakar Abba (also known as Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri), was alleged to have committed the offence between 2015 and 2025.

They were accused of mining precious minerals, including thunder stones and California stones, without lawful authority.

In a related development, on March 21, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, announced that 327 suspects had been arrested for illegal mining, with 143 prosecuted across the country.

This followed the deployment of the Mining Marshals, drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which began operations in 2024 to secure mining sites nationwide.

Among those arrested were two foreigners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, who were later sentenced by a Federal High Court in Ilorin in March for illegal mining in a case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Similarly, in May 2024, the EFCC successfully prosecuted and secured the conviction of two other foreigners, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, who were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment for illegal mining by another Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin.

In addition, in Nasarawa State, three Chinese nationals and two Nigerians suspected of illegally mining fluorite, zinc, lead and tin were arrested in 2024 at RafinGabas, Agwada, in Kokona Local Government Area.

Likewise, in Kogi, two Chinese and one Nigerian suspect were arrested in Ikah community, Ankpa Local Government Area.

Four others were also apprehended at the Ogunlepa/Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, and later arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Also, in Abia, eight Chinese nationals operating illegally at Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, in Umunneochi Local Government Area, were arraigned for illegal mining.

Collectively, these cases form part of the achievements recorded by the President Bola Tinubu administration in combating illegal mining since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

Furthermore, they add to the reclamation of 98 mining sites by the Mining Marshals between 2024 and March 2025.

To reclaim the sites, the Marshals cleared illegal miners who had occupied licensed areas for more than a decade, preventing the rightful owners from operating.

While stakeholders have acknowledged this progress, they say the major milestone so far is the conviction of the Ansaru leader.

The ruling has been described as a landmark judgment expected to serve as a deterrent to others.

This move, they observe, demonstrates that the fight against illegal mining now involves concrete action, not mere rhetoric.

However, while some analysts note that these breakthroughs are a drop in the ocean compared to the magnitude of challenges facing the sector, others see the effort as a welcome relief.

They argue that it comes amid growing concerns that illegal mining is fuelling banditry and other criminal activities in mineral-rich states.

For instance, Zamfara has long been plagued by banditry and kidnappings allegedly financed through proceeds from illegal mining.

This prompted a ban on mining exploration and related activities in the state in 2019, which was only lifted in December 2024.

According to the solid minerals minister, the ban created a vacuum that was exploited by illegal miners to rob the nation of its mineral resources.

“The nation has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara, which is endowed with vast gold, lithium and copper belts,” Alake said.

Meanwhile, states in the North West and North East, including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Niger, remain among the most affected by insecurity linked to illegal mining, which continues to endanger host communities.

For example, on Oct. 16, in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a clash between illegal miners and suspected bandits in Kuyello Ward left at least seven people dead.

On the same day in Zamfara, five policemen were killed and one declared missing after armed bandits ambushed a police patrol team in Tsafe Local Government Area, which hosts significant gold deposits.

Over the years, security experts have advocated a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, insisting that combining military pressure with dialogue and development initiatives offers a more sustainable path to addressing the menace.

Even though many analysts believe these approaches have often been clouded by politics, experts insist that strong political will remains essential.

Among them is Dr Abdullahi Jabi, Secretary-General of the International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), who argued that the crisis persists because it has become a lucrative venture for the privileged and powerful in society.

He said they enlist expatriates and deploy advanced technology to extract and cart away minerals.

“If the government is truly serious, the same level of energy, commitment and determination used to win the war against illegal crude oil theft should be applied to tackling illegal mineral exploitation on land,” he said.

Similarly, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have acknowledged the current administration’s efforts in combating illegal mining but have urged the government to ensure tangible results through more stringent measures.

Mr Philip Jakpor, Executive Secretary of the Renevyln Development Initiative (RDI), listed the establishment of Mining Marshals and the suspension of mining licences of companies operating without permits or defaulting in remittances as commendable steps.

He said these measures reflect the government’s growing commitment to sanitising the solid minerals sector.

“Recently, we also learnt of the planned introduction of Forest Rangers to further complement the work of the Marshals; these are all good efforts.

“However, it will be hard to say if these efforts have yielded tangible fruits because illegal mining is still booming.

So, it is either illegal mining has not been well addressed, or what we are seeing is the expansion of illegal mining activities.

“Whichever way, there’s need for more stringent measures. The government has to show seriousness by making an example of the major players, not the foot soldiers arrested in the field,” he said.

In the same vein, civil society activist Gad Peter shared similar sentiments, calling for firm action against major players who use advanced equipment, such as helicopters, in illegal mining operations.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts, he urged more arrests and convictions of offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.

In line with this, stakeholders have also called for the establishment of special courts for illegal mining cases to demonstrate the government’s seriousness in tackling the problem.

Peter decried that mining sites have become sources of conflict, posing a threat to national development, and urged support for government policies and actions that promote peace, stability and economic growth.

Also, the National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Dele Ayankele, urged the government to thoroughly investigate reports of international collaborations in illegal mining activities.

“It also goes to say that our nation must dig deep into the international collaborations to all forms of illegality and criminality in the Nigerian mining space, with a view to nipping it in the bud,” he said.

Furthermore, experts note that in addition to the procurement of a N2.5 billion satellite gadget to combat illegal mining and protect licenced operators, as announced by the minister earlier in the year, strong political will remains crucial to curb the menace.

They add that even though Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral resources that hold immense potential to transform its economy and drive sustainable growth, insecurity remains a major barrier to exploration, fuelled largely by illegal mining.

Consequently, many geologists and prospectors struggle to access the field safely, making data collection and investment increasingly difficult.

In conclusion, stakeholders warn that illegal mining is not just a crime but a form of gross economic sabotage, undermining efforts toward holistic national development.