FG Committed To Use Both Kinetic And Non-Kinetic Tactics To Put An End To Illicit Mining — Alake

In Ibadan on Monday, Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, declared that the Federal Government was determined to put an end to illicit mining within the nation’s mining industry.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, Alake expressed his condolences to the Oyo State Government following Tuesday’s explosion at the Bodija Estate in Ibadan.

The minister contended that powerful Nigerians were behind banditry associated with illegal mining in Nigeria.

He said a lot of banditry, terrorism, and insecurity that were being associated with the mining sector were sponsored by illegal miners, who are powerful people in society.

“There is lots of connivance among the strata of society—both the high, medium, and low classes of society—in the nation’s mining sector.

“But the Federal Government is working together with the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, who have efficient knowledge of the local terrain, to address the issue.

“Illegal mining is not exclusive to the high class alone; it cuts across the strata of our society. So, we are employing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies and tactics to address the menace,” Alake said.

He disclosed that the Federal Government would await the final report of the forensic investigations into the causes, effects, and possible remedies for the Bodija estate explosion.

Alake, however, said it was going to be after this that the government would make critical decisions on the unfortunate incident.

“It would be presumptuous for the Federal Government to make any solid pronouncement or categorical announcement now.

“We will examine all the forensic analysis reports and all the investigations from all the agencies and various intelligence arms of the security agencies.

“They are all working round the clock to provide an authentic and viable forensic report to the Federal Government.

”When the reports are ready, the Federal Government will be on a solid platform to make an informed judgement and a categorical statement.

“The final forensic report will also help the federal government take appropriate decisions concerning the victims of this ugly incident.

“Anything before then will be presumptuous and can be misleading at the end of the day,” he said.

The minister urged Nigerians to be conscious and always report suspicious movements and businesses in their environment, noting that failure to report early always leads to negative results.

“We must adopt a mindset of reporting heinous activities in our neighborhood and be safety-conscious.

For instance, he said, “Nobody will believe that such lethal explosives could be kept in an exclusive estate like this without suspicion.”

(NAN)