The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, has revealed that Nigeria loses about $9 billion annually to illegal mining and banditry. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Adewale emphasized that illegal mining activities have become a major driver of insecurity in states such as Zamfara, Niger, and Plateau.
“These activities not only deprive the nation of valuable revenue but also fuel armed conflicts, kidnappings, and environmental degradation,” he said. According to him, criminal groups exploit Nigeria’s mineral resources, smuggling gold and other valuable minerals across borders while financing banditry and terrorism.
The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the military, has launched joint operations targeting illegal mining sites. Several arrests have already been made, and authorities have pledged tougher measures to combat the menace.
Experts warn that unless Nigeria develops a more transparent mining regulatory system and empowers local communities, the cycle of insecurity and illegal extraction will continue. The federal government has vowed to introduce stricter mining reforms aimed at curbing revenue loss and reducing the financing of armed groups.