The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that illegal mining is contributing to insecurity and organised criminal activities in Nigeria, vowing to intensify investigations into individuals and networks financing the illegal trade.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said tackling the problem requires more than arresting individuals working at illegal mining sites, stressing the need to identify and prosecute the financiers, mineral buyers, compromised government officials and other beneficiaries behind the operations.

Olukoyede made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at a public lecture and capacity-building workshop organised by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies in partnership with the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He explained that unregulated mining activities create opportunities for criminal operations, including extortion, smuggling, violence and territorial conflicts, while proceeds from stolen mineral resources could be channelled into other forms of crime.

According to him, the connection between mineral theft and insecurity makes it necessary for authorities to treat illegal mining as more than a violation of licensing regulations.

Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC recorded 52 illegal mining cases between October 2023 and July 2026, during which the commission also secured the forfeiture of 102 tonnes of solid minerals.

He said investigations had uncovered complex criminal networks involving local and international financiers, mineral buyers, transporters, individuals responsible for documentation and public officials allegedly facilitating the illegal operations.

The EFCC chairman explained that the commission’s enforcement approach would focus on tracing the money generated from illegal mining and identifying those who fund the activities or benefit from the proceeds.

He maintained that investigations must go beyond mining locations to examine bank transactions, business dealings and assets acquired with proceeds from the illegal trade.

Olukoyede also clarified that the EFCC does not regulate the mining sector or issue mining licences. Rather, its responsibility covers suspected corruption, fraud, money laundering, illicit financial transactions and the recovery of proceeds linked to criminal activities.

He warned that public officials who misuse their positions to manipulate mining licences, protect illegal operators or facilitate the laundering of proceeds would also face investigation and possible prosecution.

EFCC CALLS FOR STRONGER INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION

The commission’s chairman called for improved collaboration among mining regulators, financial intelligence institutions, law enforcement agencies, customs authorities and revenue agencies to strengthen the fight against illegal mineral exploitation.

He identified poor coordination and fragmented information-sharing among government institutions as major obstacles to tracking the networks behind the activities.

He urged relevant agencies to work together in monitoring the entire mining value chain, including licence ownership, mineral extraction, transportation, sales, financial transactions and the eventual beneficiaries.

Olukoyede also called on traditional rulers, community associations, youth groups, civil society organisations and local leaders to report suspicious mining operations in their communities.

He further urged organised labour to advocate for lawful mining practices and better working conditions for people employed in the sector.

The EFCC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to investigating those financing and facilitating illegal mining, tracing illicit funds, recovering criminal assets and prosecuting suspects where sufficient evidence exists.

He stressed that Nigeria’s mineral resources should contribute to national development and improve the lives of citizens rather than enrich criminal networks.

Sources: Punch, BusinessDay, Leadership and Galaxy Television.