Nigerian govt, security forces leaving gaps for criminal networks, illegal miners to fill: Reps

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering has called for stronger collaboration to curb illegal mining and financial crimes nationwide.

Committee chairman Sannio Abdulraheem (APC-Kogi) made the appeal on Monday during a stakeholders’ workshop on Extractive Industry Governance in Abuja.

Mr Abdulraheem blamed weak enforcement, organised criminal activities and money laundering for undermining the country’s extractive industry and preventing citizens from benefiting from valuable mineral resources.

“That gap has a name: illegal mining, weak enforcement and the laundering of proceeds that should belong to the Nigerian people. It is a gap filled by criminal networks, revenue leakages and security threats that have turned some mineral-rich communities into dangerous territories,” he said.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office to provide licensing and regulatory information supporting the committee’s investigations.

The lawmaker also requested that security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Mining Marshals, identify operational challenges requiring legislative intervention.

He appealed to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to intensify efforts against illicit financial flows linked to illegal mining.

Mr Abdulraheem urged state governments and traditional institutions to monitor mining activities within their communities and promptly provide credible intelligence to relevant authorities.

He reaffirmed the committee’s determination to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources deliver sustainable national development rather than enriching criminal networks through unlawful exploitation.

According to him, the committee was established to investigate illegal mineral exploitation, trace illicit financial flows, assess the security of mining communities, and recommend comprehensive regulatory reforms.

He disclosed that relevant agencies had already appeared before the committee, while summons were issued where necessary to obtain critical information.

“We do this not out of confrontation, but out of conviction because oversight without candour achieves nothing. Reform without accurate information is guesswork dressed as policy,” he added, stressing the importance of transparency and cooperation from relevant institutions.

Mr Abdulraheem emphasised that ending illegal mining required coordinated action involving federal and state governments, security agencies, financial intelligence institutions, traditional rulers, mining operators and civil society organisations.

NSCDC commandant-general Ahmed Audi advocated establishing a special court to accelerate the prosecution of illegal miners nationwide.

Represented by Mining Marshals commander, Attah Onoja, Mr Audi described illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity, organised crime and illicit financial flows. According to him, the marshals have arrested more than 671 suspects since 2024, while 397 have already been charged before competent courts.

Mr Audi said enforcement operations had shut illegal mining sites, strengthened compliance with mining regulations and contributed to a 337 per cent increase in mining revenue.

He called for funding to procure drones, CCTV surveillance systems, a national mining situation room, better logistics and additional personnel.

Mr Audi urged lawmakers to provide stronger legislative backing and adequate resources to sustain ongoing efforts against illegal mining and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral wealth.

(NAN)