Nigeria has secured a significant victory in its fight against illegal mining with the conviction of Mahmud Usman, a commander of the Ansaru terrorist group. According to a statement by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, Usman’s conviction is a major blow to illegal mining activities in the country.
On September 11, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced Usman to 15 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in illegal mining. The court’s decision came after Usman pleaded guilty to one of the 32 counts of terrorism charges brought against him. His deputy commander, Abubakar Abba, was also implicated in the case. The two were accused of mining precious minerals, including thunder stones and California stones, without lawful authority between 2015 and 2025.
Dr Alake commended the judiciary for its support in combating illegal mining, stating that the verdict demonstrates the link between bandits engaged in illegal mining and their use of proceeds to fund their operations. The minister noted that the ministry will continue to tighten its grip on illegal mining activities, with more measures to be announced soon. The ministry will also closely monitor the 31 pending terrorism cases against Ansaru commanders to inform its strategy against illegal mining.
The Directorate of State Services was praised for its diligence in monitoring, detecting, and arresting terrorists. Dr Alake emphasized the need for increased inter-agency collaboration to enhance surveillance and rid communities of illegal mining perpetrated by bandits. This development comes after the minister and Senator Adams Oshiomhole previously revealed that powerful illegal miners were sponsoring banditry.
In 2024, Dr Alake established the Mining Marshals, a security unit drawn from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, to secure mining sites across the country. This move followed a surge in illegal mining activities in Nigeria. The conviction of Usman and his deputy commander marks a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to combat illegal mining and its associated criminal activities. The ministry’s continued efforts to strengthen its fight against illegal mining are expected to yield further results in the coming months.
