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Mining marshals have been ordered by Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to secure an illicit gold mine in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, in order to prevent any environmental risks.
Segun Tomori, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, signed a statement on Wednesday that provided this information.
The previous operation, which took place on August 16, 2025, resulted in the arrest of 16 people and the recovery and sealing of a site near the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada.
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Prosecutors have promised to bring charges against the individuals soon.
“Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has ordered the mining marshals to seal off the site to mitigate potential environmental hazards following reports of illegal gold mining in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.
After a gold vein was unintentionally found while digging a soakaway pit near a residential property, artisanal miners stormed the Gwagwalada area, according to preliminary data.
In response to fresh information about illegal mining, “Alake promptly ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site,” according to the statement.
Members of the ministry’s leadership, including the Director of Mines Inspectorate and his deputy, Sunday Okhuoya, “expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the minister’s directive, disclosing that relevant departments of the ministry have launched a thorough investigation to unravel the root of these incidents whilst recommending measures to prevent a recurrence,” according to Wednesday’s on-the-spot assessment.
“His team has established 24-hour surveillance over both affected sites, pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing inquiry,” revealed John Onoja, Assistant Commandant of Corps and Commander of the Mining Marshals.
Reiterating the Federal Government’s determination to abolish illegal mining activities nationally, Alake warned citizens to avoid the locations.
Along with that, he let slip that the government was moving quickly to install satellite monitoring equipment to keep tabs on mining activities and beef up enforcement capabilities.