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Fight Illegal Mining From the Roots, Alake Tells Kogi Youths
By Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged youths in Kogi State to engage their elders, traditional rulers, community leaders and local authorities and persuade them to withdraw support for illegal miners operating in their communities.
Alake made the call on Thursday while addressing members of the Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation, who protested at the Ministry over alleged environmental degradation caused by mining activities in parts of the state.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wyse, the minister commended the protesters for supporting the Federal Government’s campaign against illegal mining.
He assured them that the Ministry was deploying technology and strengthening the Mining Marshals to intensify the fight against illegal mining across the country.
According to Alake, Kogi State remains a major area of concern for the Ministry, noting that the first operation of the Mining Marshals was the dislodgement of illegal miners from an area covered by Mining Lease No. 19325, belonging to North-South Extractive Industries in Yagba East Local Government Area of the state.
He said the Mining Marshals had assisted several mining companies in removing illegal miners from their sites and prosecuting offenders.
“Between March 2024 and August 2026, the Mining Marshals identified 374 illegal mining sites. To date, 108 of such sites have been cleared. We have arrested 743 suspects, while 165 cases involving 430 accused persons are being prosecuted. So far, we have secured five convictions,” he said.
The minister said investigations by several committees constituted by the Ministry had revealed that many of those involved in illegal mining in Kogi were not outsiders, but indigenes allegedly engaged in illegal mining with the backing of some community elders, traditional rulers and local government officials.
He warned that such support for illegal mining was undermining legitimate mining operations and causing severe damage to the environment.
“Their illegal activities are killing the mining companies. In the coal fields, they are stealing the minerals of mining companies which have paid money to obtain licences and will still pay royalties for the minerals extracted.
“Illegal miners don’t pay for licences. They don’t pay royalties. They enrich themselves at the expense of the Nigerian people,” Alake said.
He warned illegal miners and their collaborators that the Federal Government would intensify enforcement through technology and the strengthened Mining Marshals.
“This Ministry has a message for them and their collaborators: time is running out. With the ongoing deployment of technology and the consolidation of the Mining Marshals, very soon there will be no hiding place for these criminals.
“If, as you claim, you are Kogi youths, take this message to the stakeholders in your communities. Consult your elders. Convince community leaders and local authorities to back off and allow the machinery of enforcement to work diligently and effectively to combat illegal mining and stop the reckless degradation of our environment,” he added.
Alake was represented at the meeting by the Director, Mining Inspectorate, Engr. Imam Ganiyu; Director, Mining Environmental Compliance, Dr. Vivian Okono; Director, Special Duties, Engr. Frank Odom; Director, Human Resources, Dr. Ijeoma Idika; and Commander, Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the protesting group, Comrade Isaiah Davies Ijele, said the protest was aimed at drawing the Minister’s attention to alleged environmental degradation in the Kogi East Senatorial District, particularly Ankpa and Omala Local Government Areas.
Ijele alleged that mining activities in the areas were being carried out in violation of environmental and regulatory standards, resulting in damaged roads, destruction of farmlands, pollution of water sources and deteriorating living conditions for residents.
He called on the Minister to order investigations into mining operations in Ankpa and Omala, deploy officials of the Mines Inspectorate and Mining Marshals to enforce relevant laws, and seal mining companies found to be operating in violation of regulations.
Responding, the Director of Mining Environmental Compliance, Dr. Okono, said the Ministry had commenced the compilation of a list of mining companies defaulting on their Community Development Agreements.
She said the names of the defaulting companies would soon be published, alongside other sanctions, in line with the Minister’s directives.
Tighten the opening for impactReduce repetitive illegal-mining referencesUse stronger news-style transitions
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DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development
Cyril Samania
The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.
Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.
He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.
According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.
He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.
Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.
He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.
Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.
He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.
Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.
He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.
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