Reps Urge Cooperation to Combat Illegal Mining in Nigeria

The House of Representatives' ad hoc committee, chaired by Sanni Abdulraheem, has urged stakeholders to collaborate in tackling the challenges posed by illegal mining in Nigeria. During a high-level workshop in Abuja, the committee highlighted the weak enforcement of laws against money laundering and the exploitation of Nigeria's vast mineral resources, which contribute to insecurity and revenue loss for the state.

The committee raised concerns about the lack of a single agency or committee capable of resolving the crisis alone, emphasizing that the issues intersect with law enforcement, financial intelligence, and community livelihoods. Recommendations were made for reforms to address illegal mining activities, trace illicit financial flows in the sector, and assess the security implications for mining communities.

The committee underscored the necessity for regulatory security agencies and financial intelligence institutions to work alongside traditional institutions and civil society to effectively combat illegal mining.