{"id":122836,"date":"2025-10-08T20:03:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T19:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=122836"},"modified":"2025-10-08T20:03:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T19:03:15","slug":"reps-move-to-recover-9bn-lost-to-illegal-mining-annually","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/reps-move-to-recover-9bn-lost-to-illegal-mining-annually\/","title":{"rendered":"Reps Move to Recover $9bn Lost to Illegal Mining Annually"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Tracy Moses<\/div>\n
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The House of Representatives has launched an ad hoc committee to investigate and curb the rising menace of illegal mining across Nigeria, with a strong resolve to recover the estimated $9 billion the nation loses annually to the unlawful activity.<\/div>\n
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Speaking at the inauguration of the committee in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman of the committee Hon. Sanni Abdulraheem described illegal mining as a \u201cnational disaster\u201d that robs the country of significant revenue, fuels insecurity, and causes severe environmental degradation.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt is estimated that Nigeria loses about $9 billion every year to illegal mining operations. This brazen looting of our commonwealth, which should have been used to fund development and improve citizens\u2019 lives, has gone on unchecked for far too long. That ends now,\u201d Abdulraheem stated.<\/div>\n
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According to him, the committee\u2019s primary mandate is to block financial leakages, promote transparency and accountability in the mining sector, and ensure that revenues from the nation\u2019s mineral resources are properly channelled into national development.<\/div>\n
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\u201cOne of our key priorities is to put an end to the huge financial drain caused by illegal mining activities and their accomplices. These criminal cartels not only drain our national treasury but also threaten the growth of legitimate mining operations that could significantly increase our internally generated revenue,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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Abdulraheem further revealed that the committee would strengthen revenue-tracking systems to guarantee that proceeds from mining are paid directly into government accounts rather than siphoned off by illegal operators.<\/div>\n
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Beyond the economic toll, he underscored the serious security and environmental challenges posed by illegal mining.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThese unlawful operations are directly linked to rising insecurity, environmental devastation, water pollution, deforestation, and the displacement of vulnerable communities. This has become a national emergency, and we must tackle it with utmost urgency,\u201d he declared.<\/div>\n
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The lawmaker reaffirmed the House\u2019s commitment to using its constitutional oversight powers to expose corruption, seal loopholes, and ensure that Nigeria\u2019s mineral wealth benefits its people.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe are determined to carry out our constitutional responsibility by investigating, uncovering wrongdoing, and ensuring that our natural resources are used to improve the lives of all Nigerians. Through effective oversight, we will root out illegal mining, protect our environment, and safeguard the welfare of our citizens,\u201d he pledged.<\/div>\n
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Abdulraheem also touched on the Ajaokuta Steel Company, commending President Bola Tinubu\u2019s administration for demonstrating \u201cunprecedented political will\u201d to revive the once-abandoned industrial project.<\/div>\n
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\u201cFor decades, Ajaokuta has symbolised missed opportunities. But today, there\u2019s renewed optimism. The current administration\u2019s decision to appoint a Nigerian expert to spearhead its revival shows a serious determination to unlock its massive potential,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWith Ajaokuta\u2019s rebirth, we are looking at more than just a major industrial project, we are envisioning a key driver of job creation, industrialisation, and sustainable economic growth,\u201d he added.<\/div>\n
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The committee chairman expressed gratitude to Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, for the confidence reposed in him to lead the investigative panel.<\/div>\n
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Representing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commander of Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, assured lawmakers of the Corps\u2019 full collaboration with the committee.<\/div>\n
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Onoja disclosed that since the launch of the Mining Marshals operation in March 2024, over 500 illegal miners have been arrested, with about 270 currently facing trial. He further noted that several convictions had been secured in recent weeks, reflecting the government\u2019s renewed enforcement drive.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMore than 500 illegal miners have so far been apprehended, and around 270 are being prosecuted. Just three weeks ago, we achieved multiple convictions, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to combating this scourge,\u201d Onoja said.<\/div>\n
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He reiterated that the NSCDC would continue safeguarding critical national assets, ensuring compliance among legal operators, and working hand-in-hand with the House committee to achieve its objectives.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Tracy Moses The House of Representatives has launched an ad hoc committee to investigate and curb the rising menace of illegal mining across Nigeria, with a strong resolve to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":118246,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-122836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nReps Move to Recover $9bn Lost to Illegal Mining Annually - Pointblank News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/reps-move-to-recover-9bn-lost-to-illegal-mining-annually\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Reps Move to Recover $9bn Lost to Illegal Mining Annually - 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