FRI AUG 29 2025-theGBJournal| The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has directed mining marshals to seal off an illegal gold mining site in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate potential environmental hazards.
The Minister’s directive comes in the wake of an earlier operation by the marshals which led to the successful recovery and sealing of a mining site around the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada on August 16, 2025. Sixteen arrested suspects will be prosecuted soon.
Preliminary investigations reveal that illegal artisanal miners invaded the area after the accidental discovery of a gold vein during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential property. The most recent incident took place on a farmland located behind CKC in Gwagwalada.
Upon receiving intelligence reports of renewed unlawful mining activity, Dr. Alake promptly ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site.
Conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the area on Wednesday, Ministry officials led by the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by the Deputy Director, 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.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, confirmed that his team has established 24-hour surveillance over both affected sites, pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing inquiry.
In view of the potential environmental and public health risks associated with the illegal mining operations, the Minister advises residents to steer clear of the affected areas while enforcement and remediation efforts are underway.
The minister reiterates the Federal Government’s firm resolve to eradicate illegal mining activities across the country asserting that the Ministry is fast-tracking the deployment of satellite surveillance technology to monitor mining operations nationwide and significantly strengthen enforcement capacity.
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