Reps Committee Warns on Illegal Mining's Security Threats

The House of Representatives' ad hoc committee, chaired by Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, issued a warning regarding the severe consequences of illegal mining in Nigeria during a high-level stakeholder workshop in Abuja. The committee is tasked with investigating illegal mining activities across the country, tracing illicit financial flows, and assessing the security implications for mining communities.

Despite Nigeria's rich mineral resources, including gold, lithium, tin, coal, and tantalum, illegal mining has led to significant revenue loss and security threats. The committee emphasized the need for reform in the mining sector, urging collaboration with relevant agencies such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to trace illicit financial activities.

They noted that no single agency or committee can resolve the crisis alone and called for a genuine partnership to address the challenges posed by illegal mining.