Crackdown on Illegal Mining: Licensed Miners Praise Seizure of 21 Coal Trucks
Licensed coal miners in Kogi State have expressed their approval for the recent confiscation of 21 coal trucks by the Kogi State government and security operatives, which they claim belonged to illegal coal miners in the state.
In a formal statement, Dr. Innocent Ezuma, Partha Ghosh, and Dr. Ramos of Etazuma Mining and Industries Limited, Koyla Energy Limited, and Mosra Energy Limited commended the federal government, Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake, Kogi State government, and security agencies for taking decisive action against what they referred to as ‘economic saboteurs who tend to breed terrorism’.
They further added that the security agencies have implemented comprehensive measures to put a halt to the threat of illegal mining and to reduce its negative impacts on the country’s economy and security.
In December, Alake reiterated the prohibition of illegal mining activities by the federal government, emphasizing that severe penalties would be imposed on those involved in such activities.
In response to this warning, the Kogi State Government, on 18 December 2023, established a joint task force comprising the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of Security Service (DSS), Kogi Federal Mines Office, State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, and Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS).
From 18 December to 7 January 2024, the joint task force announced that a total of 21 trucks loaded with coal, amounting to 945 tonnes, involved in illegal mining, have been impounded.
As a result, on 8 January 2024, an application was filed before the Federal High Court, Lokoja, seeking an order of forfeiture of the seized coal to the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Last week, the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Abdul Dogo, granted an interim forfeiture order for the impounded coal to the federal government. The court directed that the notice of the order be displayed in public places, including federal high courts, state high courts, and various mining sites in the Ankpa local area, where the products were impounded.
Over the weekend, twenty-four licensed mining companies visited Kogi to express their gratitude to the Kogi State government and security agencies for their actions and submitted suggestions to enhance the operations of the taskforce.
They expressed confidence that the fight would be sustained until there is a complete eradication of illegal mining activities, not only in the coal mining sector but also in other areas across the country.
They also appealed to other state governments and security agencies to join the fight against illegal mining and economic sabotage in the best interest of the economy.
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