In a refreshing analysis, President Bola Tinubu has identified one of the triggers for Islamic terrorism: terrorists are using the proceeds of illegal mining to support their nefarious crusade. There is no doubting this. Having acknowledged this evil link, the next assignment before Tinubu is to muster the resources, intelligence, and political will to eradicate illegal mining in all its forms.
Nigeria has been plagued by terrorism since 2009 when Boko Haram entered national consciousness. These days, Nigeria’s vast swathe of ungoverned territories has become a playground for criminals who freely extract and trade gold, diamonds, and other minerals. Boko Haram receives assistance from al-Qaeda and ISIS to entrench illegal mining.
During the 2024 African High-level Meeting on Counterterrorism, Tinubu said, “Look at the illegal mining that plagues so many of our nations today. Those who think illegal mining has no connection with financing terrorism are sorely mistaken.”
Illegal mining activities cost Nigeria $9 billion annually. In 2015, Afghanistan made $30 million from mining but the Taliban made $300 million, per the Combating Terrorism Centre. Some minerals are often exported raw to Asian and European countries at ridiculous prices.
Across the country, weak governance and law enforcement have created opportunities for terrorist groups to establish control over territory and carry out illegal mining operations. By exploiting the natural resources, they establish safe havens, training camps, and logistical networks to support their operations.
The President said there was a need for international collaboration to dismantle the financing network of terrorists. Tinubu is jumping the gun here; he should begin first at home to tackle illegal mining.
In September 2023, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, issued a 30-day ultimatum to miners illegally extracting mineral resources in the country to join notable mining cooperatives or face the full wrath of the law. The minister unveiled a plan to establish a surveillance task force that would include the police and other relevant agencies to secure the mines in the country.
About eight months after the ultimatum, there has been no indication to show that decisive actions had been taken against the illegal miners and their collaborators. The government seems to have developed clay feet, while the hoodlums and bandits carry on their business unperturbed in the gold and lead fields of Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Katsina, Kano, Nasarawa, Osun and Bauchi states.
The criminals shed innocent blood as they expropriate the mineral-rich Jos plateau leaving behind sorrow, tears, and gore. Not only that, but the activities of the criminals also often result in deforestation, land degradation, air, water, and soil pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
Illegal mining is linked to banditry, money laundering, bribery and corruption, illicit financial flows, and human and weapons trafficking.
Reports that illegal Chinese miners operating in parts of the country pay bandits to guard their sites show how horrible and embarrassing the situation is. Sadly, the government has failed to wield the big stick against the perpetrators of the heinous economic crime.
In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa last November authorised the deployment of 3,300 National Defence Force personnel to support the police in their fight against illegal mining for six months. The various intelligence-driven operations carried out by the task teams have culminated in over 4,000 arrests for various offences related to illegal mining. More than 7,000 suspects involved in illegal mining and contravening immigration regulations were also apprehended.
Beyond this, the government must hold officials and mining companies accountable for their actions and ensure the prosecution of individuals and entities involved in illegal mining activities. However, this requires a strong judiciary and legal system to deliver swift and fair justice.
After suspending 924 idle licences last week, the Tinubu administration should conduct a comprehensive audit of the mining industry.
