National News
Adegbite Calls for Urgent Protection of Solid Minerals from Illegal Miners
Adegbite Calls for Urgent Protection of Solid Minerals from Illegal Miners
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite has called for urgent protection of the nation’s solid minerals from illegal miners.
The Minister made this call on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja.
The Minister who commended the Corps for being exceptional in performance and result oriented in action, said: “There is a need to protect the nation’s solid minerals from illegal miners to prevent huge economic losses and maximize profits, thus far, the NSCDC has performed excellently well in protecting these God-given resources from the hands of wasters and I have come to thank you for doing this great job.”
Adegbite affirmed that solid minerals like gold, lead, limestone, diamond, lithium and so on are found in large deposits all over the country and there is need to tap it’s full potentials to help boost the country’s GDP and hasten development in the country.
He noted that “the NSCDC is contributing very significantly to the actualization of the economic diversification programme of government as the nation moves from the over dependency on oil as the mainstay of our economy to other sectors such as mining and agriculture which if properly harnessed, will benefit everyone through increased local and foreign earnings that will translate to growth and development of the country.”
He however charged the Corps to do more for the country and not reneged in ensuring adequate protection and preservation of mining sites from illegal miners sabotaging the economy, citing notable examples of how the Corps was able to dislodge about 19 Chinese illegal miners from Osun State.
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He told the NSCDC Commandant General that: “Since the beginning of our partnership with the NSCDC, tremendous advancement has been recorded in the mining sector and I am going to ensure that we support your agency in every way possible to make your job easier.”
He assured the Corps of the Ministry’s total support and collaboration in bringing sanity to the sector and also applauded the Commandant General for his gender sensitivity and an all-inclusive policy of integrating and mainstreaming women into the system and compositions of the Corps which he noticed upon his arrival at the Corps National Headquarters.
In his response, the Commandant General, appreciated the Minister for his visit and kind remarks about the NSCDC and reassured him that the Corps will not rest on its oars until it put an end to illegal mining through a renewed onslaught against the enemies of Nigeria.
He said the NSCDC as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the country, has placed the sector under watch and warned all illegal and artisanal miners without license to obtain the license or quit the business completely as NSCDC will be coming after them in full force.
According to the CG, the problem associated with illegal mining is multi-dimensional, that, aside from amounting to wastage and loss of revenue for the government, it causes human and environmental catastrophe, which is the reason the NSCDC is taking bold steps in addressing the challenges with renewed vigor.
Adegbite Calls for Urgent Protection of Solid Minerals from Illegal Miners
Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region
By: Our Reporter
A deserter from the Niger Republic Armed Forces who reportedly joined the terrorist group Boko Haram has surrendered to local authorities in Kindjandi, located in the Diffa Region of southeastern Niger Republic.
The individual, identified as Abba Ibrahim, had been serving with the Nigerien Armed Forces since 2022 before deserting his post in Bosso on March 8, 2025, according to military intelligence sources. He fled alongside a fellow soldier, Bandam Dala, and subsequently joined a Boko Haram faction active in the Lake Chad area.
Security sources disclosed that Ibrahim surrendered on April 21, 2025, arriving in Kindjandi on horseback with a rifle. He was accompanied by an unidentified young man whose details are yet to be confirmed.
Ibrahim was taken into custody by the Nigerien Armed Forces on the morning of April 22, 2025, and is currently undergoing debriefing and interrogation by military intelligence.
The Diffa Region has remained a hotspot for insurgent activity due to its proximity to Lake Chad and border areas with Nigeria, where Boko Haram and other extremist groups operate.
Nigerien Army Deserter Who Joined Boko Haram Surrenders in Diffa Region
National News
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
By: Michael Mike
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has commended the initiative by ECOWAS to extend an invitation to the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger for the official launch of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee in Accra.
The Network, in a press statement on Tuesday, said it supports the initiative by ECOWAS to ease tensions and foster diplomacy in a bid to sustain the common heritage, shared history, and longstanding socio-cultural ties of the peoples.
The statement read: “As ECOWAS opens its doors and extends an arm of friendship and collaboration to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, the Network encourages the three countries to reciprocate the gesture, upholding the spirit of good neighbourliness and cross-border cooperation. Such
cooperation is necessary now more than ever, especially as we require a concerted effort to confront matters of common interest to the subregion, such as security and trade.
“WADEMOS maintains the position that the restoration of trust and confidence between
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, on the one hand, and ECOWAS, on the other hand,
remains critical to sustaining cooperation and enhancing the free movement of goods and people. Building trust and confidence, we believe, is also critical to effectively combat the growing threat of terrorism across the subregion.
“Considering the close ties that exist among the West African peoples, WADEMOS
continues to urge the three Sahelian countries to be reconciliatory in their engagements with ECOWAS.”
WADEMOS is an independent and non-partisan network of diverse national and transnational civil society organisations and civic groups working to promote and defend democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in the West Africa region.
It mobilizes, coordinates, and leverages the collective voice and power of civil society and other pro-democracy actors, resources, and opportunities within the West Africa region to advance its mission. The current membership of WADEMOS stands at 47 spread across West Africa.
The WADEMOS Secretariat is based in Accra, Ghana.
ECOWAS @50: WADEMOS Commends Subregional bloc for Inviting Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger to Launch
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has ordered an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The officers, according to a viral post, allegedly extorted ₦5.2 million from a group of young men traveling from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State to Akure, Ondo State.
The Minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Babatunde Alao, noted that any officer found guilty will face the full weight of the law.
He said: “We will not tolerate any form of misconduct from our security agencies.
“We are building a paramilitary that is disciplined, professional and serve Nigeria and Nigerians with all sense of diginity and patriotism.
“On this case, we will see that justice is upheld and ensure that security personnel serve with forthrightness,” he said.
Interior Minister Orders Investigation into Alleged Extortion by NSCDC Officers
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