Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged youths in Kogi State to engage their community leaders and local authorities to stop shielding illegal miners operating in their communities, Peak Newspaper reports.
Alake made the call while addressing members of Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, who protested at the ministry over alleged environmental degradation caused by mining activities in the state.
The minister said investigations by the ministry had revealed that some illegal miners were indigenes operating with the alleged support of elders, traditional rulers and local government officials.
He disclosed that between March 2024 and August 2026, mining marshals identified 374 illegal mining sites, cleared 108 sites and arrested 743 suspects. He added that 165 cases involving 430 accused persons were being prosecuted, while five convictions had been secured.
Alake warned illegal miners and their collaborators that the government would intensify enforcement through technology and the Mining Marshals to curb illegal mining and environmental degradation.
