The federal government has warned foreign nationals associated with funding banditry that they would be prosecuted for economic sabotage and for waging war against the Nigerian state.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the warning in a statement by his media aide, Segun Tomori, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Alake said the warning followed preliminary reports of non-Nigerians involved in the mining business as funders of such operations.

“Preliminary reports indicate that non-Nigerians are funding these operations. Anyone involved will be prosecuted for economic sabotage and waging war against Nigeria,” said Mr Alake.

The warning is also in response to reports of 12 miners allegedly killed by bandits in the Ungwan-Magro community of Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State.

He urged embassies in Nigeria to monitor the activities of their nationals in the sector, as allegations of criminal conduct could pose serious threats to bilateral relations between Nigeria and other countries.

The minister said mining operations in the area had been banned as part of measures to fish out the perpetrators of the bandits.

“Meanwhile, no form of mining will be allowed to occur at the scene of the attack until security agencies have concluded investigations into the attack,” he said.

The minister condemned the act and vowed to avenge the deaths of the miners, stating that security agencies were already on the trail of the perpetrators and would soon bring them to justice.

He further assured security agencies would not rest until mining sites across the country were secure.

According to the minister, the agencies are determined to address the incursion of bandits and criminal elements seeking to seize mineral-rich areas for illegal mining through violence.

“I assure that security agencies will not rest until mines across the country are safe from the incursion of bandits and criminal elements seeking to take possession of mineral-rich areas for illegal mining by violence,” he said.

(NAN)