Former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, has accused retired Nigerian military generals of being responsible for illegal mining activities across the country.
Oshiomhole, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, made the allegation on Friday during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
The meeting followed the submission of the 2025 budget report by Senator Sampson Ekong, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development.
Oshiomhole, who is also a member of the Appropriations Committee, said the identities of the retired generals are well-known to him and to everyone.
He also recalled writing a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari about illegal mining during his time in office.
“The ongoing illegal mining across the country is being carried out by retired generals, and we know them. Yes, we know them. Nobody in Africa doesn’t know them,” The PUNCH quoted Oshiomhole as saying.
The lawmaker added, “I wrote a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter when he was in office.
“This is because a team that I sent to go and conduct the primary somewhere reported back to me the challenge of conducting primary elections in Zamfara because of the illegal miners.
“If we have to fight this menace, we need to deploy the Army even to kill anyone who is involved in the illegal pumping of oil. We should also deploy JTFs, comprising the Army, Police, and Air force, against them.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts would remain futile unless the administration of President Bola Tinubu addresses the illegal mining crisis.
The committee supported Oshiomhole’s call, urging security agencies to take decisive action on the matter.