- Police chief urges media focus on mining
The Chinese government has cautioned its nationals living in Nigeria against engaging in illegal activities, including mining.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, gave the warning in an interview after he led a delegation of Chinese Embassy officials in Nigeria on a courtesy call to the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abiodun had earlier raised concerns in his speech over the activities of Chinese nationals who connive with locals to carry out illegal mining in the state.
Dunhai stated that his home country and the Embassy encourage Chinese investors to come to Nigeria; however, it does not support any of its nationals engaging in illegal mining, as they are expected to live within the ambit of the laws in their host country.
He said: “I can tell you very frankly that the Chinese government encourages Chinese companies to come to Nigeria and invest because we believe that Nigeria is such a promising land; it is the largest market in Africa.
“So, we would like to contribute to the local economy and development to create more jobs.
“We always request that Chinese companies and their citizens in Nigeria abide by the local rules, laws, and regulations.
“If there are any illegal activities, including illegal mining, there is zero tolerance from the Chinese government or Embassy”.
The Chinese envoy disclosed that his country, in the last 40 years, has lifted over 100 million people out of poverty and addressed its food scarcity challenges, expressing readiness to assist Nigeria in overcoming its food security challenges.
He said that as China’s biggest trading partner on the continent, Chinese companies are already in the country helping to build critical infrastructure, adding that his home country is looking forward to having more economic cooperation with Nigeria.
Duanhai and the Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Ms. Yuqing Yan, also visited the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa.
The visit highlighted OGFTZ’s role as a strategic platform for trade and industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Over the years, the Zone has attracted foreign direct investments (FDIs), created jobs, and advanced technology transfer and industrial development in Nigeria.
Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, has also called on journalists to step up their role in the fight against illegal mining, describing illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity, economic sabotage, and environmental degradation.
Adewale made the call yesterday in Abuja during a Workshop/media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council on “The Fight Against Illegal Mining: Role of the Media.”
He said: “Illegal mining is not just a mere economic crime; it fuels insecurity, undermines lawful investment, and robs our nation of vital resources”.
Speaking during Duanhai visit, Governor Abiodun acknowledged China as a global manufacturing giant, whose partnership has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural development.
The governor emphasized that as the industrial hub of Nigeria, Ogun State is home to many Chinese companies involved in the production of a variety of goods for Nigeria and beyond.
He said his administration is ready to partner with Chinese investors in agriculture and transportation development, solid mineral exploration, and other areas that would be of great benefit to both parties.
He called on Chinese investors to take advantage of the conducive business environment, warm people, and availability of needed infrastructure to open up more investments in the state, as his administration is ready to give them all the needed support.
Duanhai said: “The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone is a symbol of the strong partnership between Nigeria and China. Its achievements in industrial growth and job creation are remarkable.
“China remains committed to the continued success of the economy, as evidenced by President Xi Jinping’s zero-tariff policy for African countries with diplomatic relations with China. The policy will open more opportunities and attract more Chinese investors to Nigeria.
The Ambassador highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China as a milestone in the relationship between both countries. He explained that the two presidents had agreed to elevate Nigeria–China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
According to him, this new framework would deepen cooperation in key sectors such as agriculture, trade and investment, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
He reassured stakeholders of China’s long-term commitment to Nigeria’s economic development.
Citing figures from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Ajao Adewale disclosed that Nigeria loses up to $9 billion (about N13.7 trillion) annually to illegal mining and gold smuggling.
He said these losses not only deplete foreign exchange earnings and tax revenues but also lead to devastating indirect costs such as land and water degradation, community displacement, and health hazards.
On the security front, Adewale noted that illegal mining is directly linked to rising violence in states such as Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and even parts of the FCT, where bandit groups derive funding from the control of mineral resources.
He warned that this has helped sustain banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism across the country.
He added that intelligence reports and raids have shown that illegal mining is being driven by powerful Nigerians who use foreigners as fronts, echoing earlier revelations by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
According to him, recent hotspots include Zamfara (gold), Nasarawa (lithium), Kogi (gold and others), and corridors in Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, and Osun States, where raids have also uncovered cases of child labour in mining sites.
Within the FCT, illegal mining has been reported in Gwagwalada, Asokoro, Gaube, Kuje, and Katampe Extension.
He disclosed that joint operations by the Police, NSCDC, and EFCC had led to the arrest of at least 72 suspects between 2023 and 2024.
Adewale commended the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, for ordering a clampdown on illegal mining operations in Abuja, stressing that decisive action was needed to protect the capital city from criminal infiltration.
He further outlined the role of journalists in tackling the problem, which include engaging communities around mining sites, building secure whistleblowing networks, sharing geolocated intelligence with security agencies, and conducting data-driven investigations to expose shell companies and financial flows that sustain cartels.
“Illegal mining robs Nigeria of its wealth, fuels insecurity, and empowers criminal cartels. But with the resolve of the security agencies and the vigilance of the media, this menace can be defeated,” the FCT Commissioner of Police declared.
He emphasised that only stronger collaboration between the media and law enforcement could ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are safeguarded for national development.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC A. J. Onoja, called on journalists to remain professional and objective in reporting on the fight against illegal mining, warning that sensational or biased reporting could undermine national efforts to secure Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Onoja said the establishment of the Mining Marshals, an elite enforcement unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was a decisive step by the Federal Government to sanitize the mining sector.
He explained that the unit, inaugurated under the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, was created to dismantle illegal mining networks, restore order in volatile mining corridors, and protect the nation’s mineral wealth from exploitation.
“Billions of naira in revenue have been lost, vast tracts of arable land degraded, and once peaceful communities destabilized by illicit mining activities. The Mining Marshals were established to reverse this trend, and I can assure you that progress is being made,” he said.
Onoja described the Mining Marshals as “an unusual enforcement unit” bound by a strict code of conduct and guided by legal instruments, including the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and the Mining Regulations of 2011.
He stressed that the Corps had revived long-neglected provisions of the law to strengthen enforcement, including sanctions for unregistered mineral movement and misuse of small-scale mining licenses.
According to him, the Mining Marshals have already dismantled several illegal camps, arrested offenders, and restored government authority in previously neglected corridors.
He said these actions have sent a clear message that Nigeria’s mineral wealth belongs to all Nigerians, not a select few.
However, he admitted the unit faces serious challenges, including inadequate logistics, difficult terrains, entrenched interests, and occasional resistance from communities influenced by illegal operators.
Onoja urged journalists to support the fight against illegal mining by exposing cartels, educating communities, and ensuring balanced coverage.
He appealed against what he described as “rogue journalism” that could weaken enforcement efforts, citing a past case in Nasarawa State where a media report allegedly misrepresented an operation and was sponsored by vested interests.
“We have identified the media as a very important partner in this fight, and we don’t want to be seen dragging anyone to court. But we will not fail to hold accountable anyone who unfairly attacks us through the media,” he said.
The commander emphasised that the role of the press in mobilising public opinion, enlightening communities, and countering misinformation was critical to achieving lasting reforms in the mining sector.
“The fight against illegal mining is a fight for our future. It is about safeguarding our environment, protecting livelihoods, and securing revenue for generations yet unborn. Together, with the media as our ally, we can ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth becomes a blessing,” Onoja said.
The National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Dele Ayanleke, urged journalists to sustain their role in the fight against illegal mining, stressing that the menace poses grave economic, environmental, and social threats to Nigeria’s future.
Ayanleke described illegal mining as “the unauthorized extraction of minerals, such as gold, lithium, tin, and sand, without licenses, permits, or compliance with regulations.”
He noted that the consequences of such activities extend beyond fiscal losses to include community displacement, child labour, environmental degradation, and public health crises.
“Illegal mining is persistent because of poverty, unemployment, high mineral demand, weak governance, and corruption. Short-term crackdowns are not enough. Sustained efforts are needed to protect communities, safeguard the environment, and foster long-term reforms,” he said.
The MAN president explained that illegal mining manifests in various forms, including operating without licenses, working outside approved areas, using expired permits, trading minerals without documentation, and employing unsafe practices such as child labour and the use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
He warned that the nation loses significant revenue through unreported extraction and tax evasion, while unregulated operations discourage investment and perpetuate poverty.
He also recalled the 2012 lead poisoning tragedy in Zamfara, which claimed hundreds of lives and left over 4,000 children sickened, as an example of the human cost of unchecked artisanal mining.
Ayanleke underscored the central role of the media in sustaining the fight, outlining responsibilities that include educating the public, keeping illegal mining in the spotlight, exposing cartels, mobilising communities, and advocating for reforms.
“The media must go beyond episodic reporting. By continuously engaging communities, tracking enforcement, and exposing corruption, journalists ensure accountability and make illegal mining a priority for policymakers,” he said.
He added that media advocacy should also highlight success stories from legal and responsible mining operations, encouraging compliance and best practices in the sector.
According to him, grassroots mobilisation is equally vital, with journalists helping citizens to understand the dangers of illegal mining and encouraging cooperation with authorities in reporting illicit operations.
Ayanleke called on journalists to deepen their knowledge of mining laws and operations in order to provide balanced, professional, and impactful coverage of the sector.
“Illegal mining is not only an economic crime but also an environmental and social challenge. By keeping it in public discourse, pressuring authorities, and educating communities, the media strengthens enforcement and helps Nigeria protect its mineral resources for sustainable development,” he concluded.
Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, called on journalists across the country to intensify efforts in exposing the dangers of illegal mining and holding relevant authorities accountable for addressing the menace.
Ike described illegal mining as a national challenge that threatens the environment, endangers lives, undermines economic development, and fuels insecurity.
She said the media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, has a critical responsibility to bring these issues to the fore and push for solutions.
“As gatekeepers of truth and agents of accountability, our duty as journalists goes beyond mere reportage. We must investigate, expose, and educate the public on the devastating effects of illegal mining, particularly on communities and water resources,” she said.
The NUJ chair stressed that through balanced and accurate reporting, journalists can spotlight the hidden dangers, portray the human and environmental costs, and urge policymakers to take decisive action.
She assured that the NUJ FCT would continue to amplify the voices of affected communities so their struggles can be heard nationwide, noting that empowering citizens with accurate information enables them to demand better regulation and environmental protection.
“In an era of digital technology and social media, the media industry has even greater reach and influence. We must leverage these platforms responsibly to disseminate vital information, debunk misinformation, and encourage national conversations on sustainable mining practices,” she added.
Ike urged journalists to maintain professionalism by reporting without bias, sensationalism, or undue influence, emphasizing that credibility and integrity remain critical in sustaining public trust.
She expressed hope that the workshop and interactive sessions with security agencies and other stakeholders would equip journalists with the knowledge and tools required to play their roles effectively in safeguarding Nigeria’s natural resources and promoting sustainable development.
