- The illegal miners increased their workforce and armed protection
At least seven suspected illegal miners were arrested at Jaguna, near the Iye/Odogbe communities in Kogi State’s Yagba East Local Government Area.
The arrests were made during a clearance operation by the Mining Marshals last week, according to a statement by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, released on Saturday.
Tomori noted that the suspects had ignored multiple warnings to vacate the site, preventing the rightful mining license holders from accessing the location for over 16 years due to armed illegal mining activities.
The statement read in part: “On 15th July 2024, the Mining Marshals raided the site, arresting some labourers and instructing them to leave within five days. Instead of complying, the illegal miners increased their workforce and armed protection.”
The Marshals, acting on intelligence reports, returned to the site, neutralized the armed guards, and cleared the area to allow the licensed operators to resume legitimate activities.