Solid Minerals Minister Alake Hails Ansaru Commander’s Conviction, Vows Zero Tolerance For Illegal Mining

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has described the conviction of Ansaru commander Mahmud Usman as a significant milestone in the federal government’s ongoing campaign against illegal mining in Nigeria.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Thursday, sentenced Usman to 15 years in prison, also ordering that he remain in custody to face 31 additional terrorism-related charges.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the minister praised the judiciary for reinforcing the ministry’s efforts to stamp out illegal mining, describing the ruling as evidence of a strong link between terrorism and illicit mineral activities.

“It is gratifying for me that the judiciary is aligned with the ministry’s objective of zero tolerance for illegal mining. Further tightening of the noose around illegalities in mining continues, as more drastic measures will be announced shortly,” Alake said.

He further stressed that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development will closely monitor the prosecution of the remaining cases involving other Ansaru commanders.

According to him, these proceedings offer crucial insights that can help regulators strengthen enforcement capacity and improve oversight of the mining sector.

Alake also commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for its diligent work in uncovering, tracking, and arresting terrorists involved in both militancy and illegal mining.

“We shall increase inter-agency collaboration to raise the tempo of surveillance to rid our communities of illegal mining perpetrated by bandits,” the minister added.

Leaders of the terrorist group, whose name translates to Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa, are facing multiple charges including the attack on the Nigerian Army Wawa Cantonment and the 2022 raid on Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja, among other violent acts.

In 2024, Minister Alake launched the Mining Marshals, a dedicated security outfit tasked with combating illegal mining and improving the security architecture of the solid minerals sector.

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