Retired Generals Accused of fueling Nigeria's Illigal Mining Crisis

Nigeria's Senate has made a startling allegation that retired military generals are secretly driving the country's illegal mining activities, undermining efforts to diversify the economy. Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, revealed this shocking information during a budget presentation, stressing that these generals are using helicopters to smuggle gold, reaping billions while the country suffers.

Oshiomhole expressed frustration over the government's inaction, urging President Bola Tinubu's administration to take decisive action against the illegal mining crisis. He drew parallels with the government's robust measures against oil theft in the Niger Delta, advocating for similar enforcement in the mining sector.

The senator revealed that he had previously alerted former President Muhammadu Buhari to the issue during his tenure as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He highlighted how illegal miners arm local groups and employ sophisticated equipment to exploit resources.

Oshiomhole emphasized that the government must deploy Joint Task Forces to tackle the issue, just as they have done with oil theft. Meanwhile, Senator Sampson Ekong presented a recommendation for the 2025 budget of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, proposing a significant increase from N9 billion to N539 billion to tap into the sector's potential.

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