The House of Representatives Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering has summoned the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Nkom, over allegations of illegal mining activities across the country.
The directive was issued by the committee chairman, Sani Abdulraheem, during Wednesday’s resumed session, marking a significant escalation of its investigation.
Abdulraheem stated that the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the Mining Cadastre Office had shown limited cooperation despite the committee’s friendly approach.
He added that the two officials are now required to appear before the Committee on scheduled dates, alongside representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies.
The committee will also undertake working visits to all relevant government agencies, conduct physical inspections of mineral exploitation sites, and engage selected stakeholders as part of its fact-finding mission before reporting to the House.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, had mandated the committee to investigate the scale, patterns, actors, and modalities of illegal mineral exploitation nationwide, with a view to identifying causes, consequences, and the associated loss of revenue.
Broad Scope of the Investigation
Abdulraheem explained that the committee will examine the roles, effectiveness, and challenges of security agencies deployed to mining areas, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Mining Marshals, and assess their capacity to secure mining sites and protect national assets.
The committee is further tasked with investigating the security implications of illegal mining, including links to organized crime, communal conflicts, environmental degradation, and threats to national stability.
It will also review the legal and regulatory framework governing mineral exploitation, identify gaps, and propose necessary amendments or new legislation.
Part of the inquiry includes probing financial flows associated with illegal mineral extraction, including methods used to launder or conceal illicit proceeds and the roles of individuals, networks, and institutions in facilitating such transactions.
Comprehensive Interface and Reporting
Abdulraheem noted, “The committee will interface with relevant agencies—including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, EFCC, security agencies, state governments, traditional institutions, and licensed operators—to obtain submissions, documents, data, and expert opinions.”
The committee will also assess anti-money laundering measures in the sector, recommend strengthened oversight and enforcement mechanisms, and propose strategies to block revenue leakages, enhance transparency, and ensure mineral resources contribute legitimately to national development.
Finally, Abdulraheem said the committee will conduct public hearings and stakeholder engagements to gather evidence, facilitate transparency, and build consensus on tackling illegal mining.
A comprehensive report containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislative, policy, administrative, and security interventions will be submitted to the House.
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