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Oshiomhole: I Reported Illegal Miners to Buhari, Nigeria Must Combat Them Like Oil Thieves

Oshiomhole: I Reported Illegal Miners to Buhari, Nigeria Must Combat Them Like Oil Thieves

1 mins

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Nigerian government to adopt the same level of force in tackling illegal mining as it does against oil theft in the Niger Delta.

Oshiomhole, who chairs the Senate Committee on Interior, praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for appointing a minister specifically tasked with addressing illegal mining. However, he stressed the need for stronger enforcement to curb the growing menace.

“I want to see the government deploying the same level of force in protecting our solid minerals and dealing with those engaged in illegal mining—just as it does with oil bunkering. These individuals are powerful, and only superior power can neutralize them,” he said in an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday.

The former Edo State governor also clarified his previous comments on illegal mining, stating that they were misrepresented by the media. He explained that during Senate discussions on solid minerals, it became evident that foreign nationals were illegally extracting Nigeria’s resources while the country struggled to benefit from its mineral wealth.

“It is absolutely impossible for foreigners—who are not geologists—to come into Nigeria, locate sites, extract solid minerals, and transport them without some form of internal collaboration,” he argued. He emphasized that the government was failing to harness the full potential of the sector and that authorities were aware of those behind the illicit trade.

Addressing allegations that he accused all retired generals of involvement in illegal mining, Oshiomhole clarified:

“At no time did I say ‘all retired generals.’ Many of them are struggling; some can’t even afford to change their car batteries. But the reality is that a few powerful retired generals are deeply involved in illegal mining, and the government has not deployed the same military force it uses to protect oil facilities.”

He recounted a conversation with a retired general who had served as a returning officer during an APC primary election. According to Oshiomhole, the general warned him about the connection between illegal mining and organized crime.

“He told me, ‘Adams, you’re worried about party primaries, but what I’ve seen is far more serious. Some kidnappers are actually working for retired generals who use helicopters to supply weapons to civilians protecting illegal mining sites.’”

Oshiomhole further alleged that these armed groups, initially created to secure illegal mining operations, had expanded into kidnapping and terrorism, making the situation even more dangerous.