Oshiomhole Exposes Retired Generals as Key Players in Illegal Mining, Urges Deployment of Military Task Force to End the Menace
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has alleged that retired military generals are the masterminds behind Nigeria’s illegal mining operations.
Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 budget report by Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Oshiomhole called for decisive action to end the illegal activities. He proposed deploying a Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the Army, Police, and Air Force to combat the perpetrators.
The former Edo State Governor warned that Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy would remain futile unless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration addresses the issue of illicit mining head-on.
Calls for Military Action to Tackle the Menace
Oshiomhole, who is also a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, did not mince words:
“The ongoing illegal mining across the country is being carried out by retired generals, and we know them. Yes, we know them. Nobody in Africa doesn’t know them. I even wrote to former President Muhammadu Buhari on this issue while he was in office,” he said.
He recounted challenges faced during a political exercise in Zamfara State, citing illegal mining as a significant disruption. He urged a no-nonsense approach to end the menace, saying:
“If we have to fight this menace, we need to deploy the Army and deal decisively with anyone involved in illegal oil or mineral exploitation. Security forces must rise to the occasion.”
The Senate panel unanimously agreed with Oshiomhole’s recommendations, emphasizing the urgent need for security agencies to intensify efforts against illegal mining activities threatening the nation’s economic growth.
Implications of the Revelations
Oshiomhole’s bold statements highlight the entrenched challenges in Nigeria’s mining sector, underscoring the need for robust policy enforcement and accountability to curb the exploitation of the nation’s mineral wealth.
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