Senate Alleges Retired Generals Behind Illegal Mining, Calls For Action

The Senate has claimed that some retired military generals are to blame for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, made this allegation during the budget presentation by Senator Sampson Ekong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, to the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

Oshiomhole expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s inaction, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the illegal mining crisis decisively.

He called for similar laws to be put in place in the mining sector in contrast to the government’s strict policies against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.

He claims that retired generals are familiar with the illegal mining that is taking place throughout the nation. They use helicopters to cart away gold, making billions of dollars, while the country suffers”.

He further disclosed that he had written to former President Muhammadu Buhari about the situation, blatantly describing how illegal miners arm local groups and use sophisticated equipment to exploit resources while serving as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s National Chairman.

He added, “This issue has been left unchecked for too long. Where these activities are taking place are the data and surveys we have. Joint Task Forces should be deployed by the government now, just like they have done in tackling oil theft.

Source: Channels TV