By MARTHA AGAS

The Federal Government has shut down an illegal gold mine site in Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, stated that the move was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economic profile.

In a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori on Friday in Abuja, the operation was carried out by the Mining marshals in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA.

According to Tomori, the operation involved dislodging illegal miners whose activities had prevented lawfully authorised miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.

He said that reports indicated the nefarious activities have gone unhindered for more than 20 years.

He said that the operation, led by Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners in the area.

Tomori said that the site workers have been given five days to completely vacate the site, as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities would continue in earnest.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government, on July 12, announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining at Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. (NAN)

•Illegal gold mine site in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State, cracked down by the Federal Government