Nigerian Minister of Mines and Steel Development Olamilekan Adegbite has silenced those he described as “influentials” who are trying to facilitate the release of the Chinese nationals arrested in connection with illegal mining.
Adegbite said the influential people are pressuring the Federal government to release the Chinese because they are giving up their names.
It could be recalled that Osun government announced the arrest of 27 illegal miners, 17 of which are Chinese nationals.
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The Minister said while speaking with journalists in Abuja that the government will not tolerate any form of illegal mining.
Adegbite also added that the COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for the increase in illegal mining in the nation.
Also accused is Nigerian soldiers who the Minister said are aiding the illegal activities.
“Nigerians in high positions of authority [are behind them]. The Chinese are the main culprits in the illegal mining activities and we are going to meet with the Chinese embassy. We are going to present all the facts to them so that it will not appear as if we are targeting them unfairly,” he said.
“These godfathers were operating with impunity before, but they are now scared because, the arrested illegal miners are naming names but they (godfathers) are denying. The law is on our side and we must prosecute these people to serve as a deterrent.”
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