Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State and current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has called for strict measures against illegal mining, likening it to the theft of oil in the Niger Delta.

In a recent interview, Oshiomhole highlighted the alarming scale of illegal mining in Nigeria, accusing some retired military generals of being involved in these activities. The senator, who also served as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), revealed that he had previously informed former President Muhammadu Buhari about the involvement of influential figures in illegal mining. Oshiomhole stressed that the nation’s solid mineral resources, such as gold, are being looted by both foreigners and Nigerians.

“I stand by my statement that some retired generals are involved in illegal mining,” Oshiomhole asserted. “These individuals use helicopters to transport mined resources and drop weapons for civilians tasked with protecting these illegal operations. This is a serious economic crime that deserves the same attention as oil theft.”

The senator recalled a conversation with a retired general who warned him about the severe consequences of unchecked illegal mining. According to Oshiomhole, the general revealed that illegal mining was linked to banditry and kidnapping, with arms supplied to civilians, who sometimes use them to terrorize local communities.

Oshiomhole urged the federal government to deploy the same military strength used to combat oil theft in the Niger Delta to tackle illegal mining. He acknowledged the efforts of the current Minister of Solid Minerals, who has started recruiting marshals to curb illegal mining, but Oshiomhole called for even more decisive action to safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources.

“We cannot afford to treat illegal mining with kid gloves,” he said. “The government must tackle these criminals with the same force used against oil thieves. This is not just about protecting our resources, but about securing our national safety.”

Oshiomhole also addressed the recent political crisis in Edo State, where local government chairmen and their deputies were impeached by councilors. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the APC of undermining constitutional democracy, but Oshiomhole dismissed these accusations as unfounded.

“The impeachment was carried out by PDP councilors against PDP chairmen,” he clarified. “The APC had no involvement. The governor cannot interfere with the constitutional duties of councilors. This is a case of people deceiving people.”

Regarding the ongoing legal battle over the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Oshiomhole refrained from making predictions, respecting the judiciary’s role in the matter. He also dismissed fears of Nigeria becoming a one-party state, emphasizing that democracy guarantees freedom of political association.

“The people voted for Monday Okpebholo, and it is up to the PDP to prove otherwise in court,” he said. “As for a one-party state, Nigeria remains a democracy where no one is forced to join a political party.”