Federal Government of Nigeria has shut down an illegal gold mine site located in Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA), Kogi State.
Gatekeepers News reports that Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake revealed this through his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Friday in Abuja.
He added that the move was part of the federal government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economic profile.
Alake united rag that the mining marshals carried out the operation in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA.
Mr. Tomori, the added that operation involves dislodging illegal miners whose activities had prevented lawfully authorised miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.
He said that reports indicated the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years.
He said that the operation, led by the commander of the mining marshals, Attah Onoja, also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners in the area.
Mr. site workers have been given five days to completely vacate the site, as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities would continue in earnest.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal government, on 12 July, announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining at Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
