By Achile Danjuma
A coalition of youth groups from Kogi East under the aegis of Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja, demanding an immediate halt to illegal mining activities particularly in Ankpa and Omala local government areas of Kogi State.
Led by Mr Isaiah Davies Ijele, Convener of the Police Integrity Movement, the protesters alleged that a Chinese national named Julie has been spearheading large-scale illegal coal mining across the communities. Mr Ijele claimed the woman moves about with thugs and local vigilantes provided by the Chairman of Ankpa Local Government Council, using them to intimidate and abduct youths who dare to speak out against the illegal operations.
“We are here to announce to the Minister that he should please come and rescue Kogi East from the exploitation,” Mr Ijele declared.
The protest leader further alleged that the communities generate over N1 billion daily from coal mining yet lack basic social amenities such as good roads, healthcare centres, and schools.
In a dramatic moment during the protest, Mr Ijele presented one Tony Tony, a community youth who was arrested on 8 August for opposing the passage of mining trucks through community roads, demanding that proceeds from the mining be used to provide social infrastructure. According to Mr Ijele, Tony Tony was released on 2 September—the eve of the protest—after they learnt of the planned demonstration.
“The Ankpa Local Government Chairman is among those protecting these people, and he must be arrested now,” Mr Ijele added.
The group called on the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, to suspend all mining activities in the affected local governments and constitute a panel to investigate and prosecute the illegal miners.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the Minister, Engr Frank Udu (MNI), Director of Special Duties at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, alongside Engr Ikani, Director of Mines Inspection, acknowledged the youths’ decision to channel their grievances through formal complaint rather than taking the law into their hands.
A statement from Dr Alake, read by Engr Udu, commended the group’s advocacy, saying: “Any person or non-governmental organisation campaigning against or organising protest against illegal mining and environmental degradation is not working against us. Such organisation or person is working for us. Your organisation is therefore welcome.”
The Minister assured the protesters that proper action would be taken to address their concerns. He highlighted the ministry’s seven-point agenda and the deployment of Mining Marshals—a specialised enforcement unit under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps—to arrest and prosecute offenders.
“To demonstrate our seriousness, the ministry enunciated a policy. The seven-point agenda does not only declare war against illegal mining but also established Mining Marshals as enforcement personnel to arrest and prosecute offenders. This administration has a message for them: the time is near. With the ongoing deployment of technology, and the emergence of the Mining Marshals, very soon there will be no hiding place for these criminals,” the statement read.
The Minister wished the protesters a safe return to their communities and thanked them for complementing the ministry’s efforts through their advocacy.
The protest comes amid growing national concern over illegal mining activities in Kogi State, with the Senate having recently called for urgent measures to address safety and environmental hazards in Ankpa and other coal-bearing communities following a deadly landslide that claimed multiple lives.