The federal government has shut down an illegal gold mine site in the Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, stated that the move was part of the federal government’s commitment to combat illegal mining and reposition the sector to boost Nigeria’s economic profile.

In a statement on Friday by his media aide, Segun Tomori, Mr Alake said the mining marshals in Iyeh Odogbe, Isanlu community of Yagba East LGA, carried out the operation.

According to the minister, the operation involved dislodging illegal miners whose activities had prevented lawfully authorised miners with licenses covering four cadastral units from accessing the site for 16 years.

He said reports indicated the nefarious activities have been unhindered for over 20 years.

The minister said the operation, led by the commander of the mining marshals, Attah Onoja, also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects leading various groups of illegal miners in the area.

Mr Alake said the site workers had been given five days to completely vacate the site, as operations to effectively secure the area and ensure its full recovery for lawful mining activities would continue in earnest.

The federal government, on July 12, announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining in the Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

(NAN)