Illegal Mining: Foreign Suspects With Alleged Terror Links Handed Over to NSA — Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has revealed that some foreign nationals arrested over illegal mining activities and suspected links to terrorism have been handed over to the Office of the National Security Adviser for further investigation.

Alake disclosed this on Friday, May 15, while speaking with Channels Television at an event in Abuja.

His comments came amid allegations by some United States lawmakers that illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria may be connected to terrorism financing.

The minister did not disclose the exact number of foreign nationals transferred to the NSA’s office. However, he said more than 327 people, including foreigners, had been arrested for illegal mining offences across the country.

According to him, about 142 suspects are currently being prosecuted, while nearly 3,000 mining licences have been revoked as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to sanitise the sector.

Alake credited the progress to reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the changes had repositioned the solid minerals sector and boosted government revenue.

He said revenue from the sector increased from ?6 billion in 2023 to over ?70 billion by December 2025.

The minister added that the government’s wider reforms would, over time, help tackle years of corruption, weak regulation, and institutional failures in the country.

Speaking to stakeholders and operators in the mining industry, Alake urged them to embrace responsible practices and show greater commitment to social responsibility in order to support the growth of the sector.

He also highlighted concerns about the effect of illegal mining on security and stability, particularly within the West African region.

Last year, President Tinubu warned that the continued looting of mineral resources across West Africa was threatening regional peace and stability.

Represented by George Akume at the Annual General Meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, Tinubu called for stronger international action against illegal exploitation of mineral resources.

He said resource theft, illegal mining, and mineral smuggling in West Africa should be treated as international crimes because of their impact on regional stability.