The Federal Government has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining operations, leading to the arrest of more than 327 suspects, including several foreign nationals allegedly linked to unlawful mineral extraction and broader security concerns across different parts of the country.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake disclosed this during an interview in Abuja, revealing that some foreign suspects arrested during enforcement operations have already been transferred to the Office of the National Security Adviser for deeper investigation due to the sensitive nature of allegations surrounding their activities.
According to the minister, security agencies are treating some of the cases beyond ordinary illegal mining because intelligence reports raised concerns about possible connections between certain suspects and activities capable of threatening national security.
Alake explained that the government decided to escalate the investigations to the Office of the National Security Adviser because of growing fears that illegal mining networks may be linked to organised criminal operations and other cross-border security threats affecting parts of Nigeria and the wider West African region.
He stated that the ongoing enforcement operation has become one of the largest anti-illegal mining crackdowns in recent years, with authorities targeting both local and foreign operators accused of exploiting Nigeria’s mineral resources outside approved regulatory frameworks.
The minister revealed that more than 142 suspects are already facing prosecution in court following their arrests, while regulatory actions have also led to the revocation of nearly 3,000 mining licences as part of broader reforms aimed at sanitising the sector.
According to him, many of the revoked licences were linked to inactive operators, regulatory violations, or companies accused of failing to comply with mining laws and operational guidelines established by the government.
Alake credited the aggressive enforcement strategy and reforms introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the significant improvements now being recorded in the solid minerals sector.
He explained that the reforms have strengthened monitoring systems, improved compliance, enhanced transparency, and increased government revenue generated from mining activities nationwide.
The minister disclosed that earnings from the solid minerals sector rose dramatically from approximately ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by the end of 2025, describing the growth as evidence that the government’s reforms are beginning to yield measurable economic results.
Alake stressed that illegal mining and mineral theft have long deprived Nigeria of huge revenues while also contributing to insecurity, environmental destruction, and the weakening of regulatory institutions in the sector.
He noted that President Tinubu has consistently warned that uncontrolled illegal mining activities pose not only economic dangers but also serious security threats capable of destabilising communities and undermining national development.
The minister further urged mining stakeholders, operators, and investors to embrace ethical practices, transparency, and responsible operations in order to support the government’s efforts toward building a sustainable and internationally competitive mining industry.
He emphasised that long-term development in the solid minerals sector can only be achieved through stronger regulation, accountability, lawful operations, and collaboration between government agencies, investors, and host communities.
The development comes amid growing international concern over illegal resource exploitation in parts of Africa, where criminal mining networks have increasingly been linked to arms trafficking, terrorism financing, and organised transnational crimes.
