A non-partisan advocacy group Action for Economic Development (AED), has called for thorough investigation and prosecution of 387 individuals arrested in connection with illegal mining by the Armed forces of Nigeria (AFN).
The group while lamenting that criminals have continued to get away with the country’s resources in the midst of hardship being faced by Nigerians, said this would serve as deterrent and halt criminality in the mining sector.
Blueprint reports that the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa represented by the Director of Operations DHQ, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius, on Monday confirmed the arrest of the 387 individuals while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Mineral.
AED in a statement Tuesday signed by its converner Bilkisu Bello commended the Armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Gwabin Musa for supporting other security agencies in curbing illegal mining.
According to AED, “We learnt from NEITI that NIGERIA has lost about $46.16 billion (N16.25trillion) from oil theft as of 2022.
“It is unfortunate that this has now spread to the mining sector with the confirmation by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, that illegal mining activities in Nigeria are costing the country about $9bn annually.”
“As a country, how can we continue like this? It is disturbing with the revelation by the CDS that foreigners are involved in the economic crime.
“More disturbing is the impact on immediate environment where the illegal mining is taking place.
“We use this opportunity to commend the Armed forces of Nigeria for what is being done to curb crude oil theft, and now supporting other security agencies to curb illegal miners,” AED added.