Powerful Nigerians are behind banditry, says Alake

Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals, has said the Federal Government is determined to end illegal mining in the country.

Alake made the statement when he led delegates of the Federal government to pay a condolence visit to the government of Oyo State over Tuesday’s explosion at Bodija estate in Ibadan.

He said illegal miners, who are powerful people in the country, sponsor banditry, terrorism and insecurity, which are associated with the mining sector.

Alake said, “There are lots of connivance among the strata of the society —- both high, medium and low classes of the society —- in the nation’s mining sector.

“But the Federal Government is working together with the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, who have efficient knowledge of the local terrain to address the issue.

“Illegal mining is not exclusive to the high class alone but cuts across the strata of our society. So, we are employing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies and tactics to address the menace.”

He stated that the Federal Government is waiting for the final report of the forensic probe into the causes, effects and possible solutions to the Bodija estate explosion.

He said, “It would be presumptuous for the Federal Government to take any solid pronouncement or categorical announcement now.

“We will examine all the forensic analysis reports and all the investigations from all the agencies and various intelligence arms of the security agencies.

“They are all working round the clock to provide an authentic and viable forensic report to the Federal Government.

“When the reports are ready, the Federal Government will be on a solid platform to make an informed judgment and a categorical statement.

“The final forensic report will also help the Federal Government in taking appropriate decisions concerning the victims of this ugly incident.

“Anything before then will be presumptuous and can be misleading at the end of the day.”

He urged Nigerians to take their safety seriously and report atrocities in their environment to the government.

He said, “We need to be safety-conscious and develop the attitude of reporting atrocious activities in our neighbourhood.

“For example, no one will expect that such deadly explosives could be stored in an elite estate like this without suspicion.”

(NAN)