Adams Oshiomhole, Edo North Senator in the National Assembly has said retired military generals are behind illegal mining in Nigeria.
Speaking as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior during the presentation of the 2025 budget report by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Oshiomhole made the claim and called for action to be taken.
The former Edo State Governor said these retired generals whose names are well known are engaged in illegal mining that is undermining the country’s resources.
He said he wrote to former President Muhammadu Buhari on this issue during his time and drew his attention to it.
Oshiomhole also shared an experience where illegal miners in Zamfara State disrupted the primary election as reported by a team he sent to supervise the exercise.
He called for a military backed operation to deal with those involved in such activities.
He suggested Joint Task Forces (JTFs) made up of Army, Police and Air Force to deal with illegal miners and even proposed lethal measures for those involved in illegal oil extraction.
He said without decisive action, diversification of the economy would not be achievable.
The other members of the panel agreed with Oshiomhole and asked security agencies to prioritize illegal mining.
Illegal mining is a big challenge for Nigeria as it depletes the country’s mineral resources and revenue and also causes environmental degradation.
Oshiomhole’s bold statement shows the need to tackle this long standing problem to secure Nigeria’s future.