Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested three suspected illegal gold miners in Borno State.
The EFCC in a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday said the suspects were arrested in Mallam Jakwa Town, Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State.
The statement said the arrests follow actionable intelligence on their illegal activities.
“The suspects are: Umar Muhammad, Modu Bamai Umar and Sani Samaila. Their suspected illegal mining activities are worsening insecurity and environmental degradation in the state.”
The EFCC said items found in their possession upon their arrest include a small gold measuring machine and mined gold.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, the EFCC said.
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Mining without licence is illegal in Nigeria, as stipulated by the Minerals and Mining Act of 1999.
The Nigerian government, in line with the provisions of Act, grants permits for exploration and mining through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The Act stipulates the ownership of mineral resources, conditions for mining and/or exploration and others, but enforcement of the law is poor.
Despite this, illegal mining persists, with both Nigerian and foreign nationals having been convicted of this offense.
