Illegal mining: FG hands over foreign terror suspects to NSA

Dele Alake has disclosed that foreign nationals arrested over illegal mining activities and suspected terrorism links have been handed over to the Office of the National Security Adviser for further investigation.

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The minister made the revelation on Friday, May 15, while speaking to Channels Television during an event in Abuja, following allegations by some US lawmakers linking illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria to terrorism financing.

Although Alake did not reveal the exact number of foreign nationals transferred to the NSA’s office, he stated that more than 327 individuals, including foreigners, have been arrested for illegal mining activities.

According to him, about 142 suspects are currently facing prosecution, while roughly 3,000 mining licences have been revoked as part of the government’s crackdown on illegal operations in the sector. Alake credited the developments to the reforms introduced by Bola Tinubu, saying they had transformed the solid minerals sector and significantly increased government revenue.

He said revenue generation from the sector rose from ₦6 billion in 2023 to more than ₦70 billion by December 2025. The minister maintained that the administration’s reforms across various sectors would eventually overcome years of corruption and institutional weaknesses in Nigeria.

Addressing stakeholders and operators in the mining industry, Alake urged them to adopt the right mindset and demonstrate greater social responsibility in order to further develop the sector. He also referenced ongoing concerns about the impact of illegal mining on regional security and stability.

Last year, President Tinubu warned that the continued looting of mineral resources across West Africa was undermining stability in the region. Represented by George Akume at the Annual General Meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, the president called for stronger international action against illegal resource exploitation.

“I believe the time has come for us to designate resource theft, mining, and stealing of minerals in the region as an international crime that threatens regional stability and galvanise the world against threats from stolen minerals from West Africa,” he said.