About six persons are feared dead as Mining Marshals moved to dislodge suspected illegal miners in a gold site in Jaguna, around Iye-Odogbe communities in Yagba East local government of Kogi state.
A resident told our correspondent that the marshals stormed the site last week and shot at people working in the mines.
The resident, who craved anonymity, said about 6 persons are feared dead in the raid. He added that some suffered severe burns as their huts were set ablaze.
Listen to audio of the resident’s account:
He added that the huts were not within the vicinity of the gold site, but located around a nearby market.
However, a statement by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja on Saturday, said the raid was a “clearance exercise” to crackdown on illegal mining operations.
He said the Mining Marshals, operating under the direction of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, are tasked with securing the mining environment to boost investor confidence in the sector.
“It will be recalled that on 15th July 2024, Jaguna, an area surrounded by forest, was raided by the Mining Marshals, resulting in the arrest of seven suspected illegal gold miners. Labourers on-site were given a directive to vacate the area within five days.
“Rather than comply with the directive, the illegal miners mobilized additional workers and fortified the site with armed protection. This led to the latest operation by the Mining Marshals to dislodge them.
“The follow-up action was necessary after the illegal miners also ignored appeals from community traditional rulers to vacate the site. This was to allow the licensed mineral titleholders unhindered access to the area for legitimate operations.
“For over 16 years, the rightful mining license holders have been unable to access the location due to the activities of armed illegal miners.
“Acting on intelligence reports suggesting that the illegal operators had remained defiant, the Mining Marshals, last week, stormed the site, neutralized resistance from the armed gangs, and successfully cleared the area,” the statement said.
According to the statement, Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Attah Onoja, reiterated the commitment of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, to eradicating illegal mining in the country.
He issued a stern warning to all involved in these illegal activities, regardless of their status, to desist or face the full wrath of the law.
The statement was, however, silent on causalities during the operations.
