Posted by Chinenye on Tue 13th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
The Kogi State government has intensified its fight against illegal mining after a raid uncovered a growing problem in one community.
(NSCDC in Kogi Crackdown. Photo by NAtion News)
Two men have been arrested for illegal mining in Irutuba Village, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The arrest happened on Sunday during a crackdown led by the state's Commissioner for Solid Minerals and Natural Resources, Abubakar Bashir Gegu.
The suspects, Abdulrahaman Nuhuramat and Yusuf Ramat, have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for investigation and prosecution.
Speaking at the site, Gegu said Governor Ahmed Ododo's government has zero tolerance for illegal mining.
He called it sabotage and a threat to peace and the environment.
He warned illegal miners across the state that the government will track them down wherever they are.
The village head, Mallam Adams Shuaibu, thanked the government for the quick response.
He said strangers have been trespassing on ancestral land in search of gold and destroying farms.
He asked the governor for more security in the community.
Gegu promised to pass the community's complaint to the governor and to work with security agencies to protect the rights of host communities.