By Adelabu Jumoke
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has ordered the immediate closure of an illegal gold mining site in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prevent potential environmental hazards.
Dr. Alake warned that the government would not tolerate unlawful mining activities and urged residents to avoid the affected areas while enforcement and remediation efforts are underway.
The directive follows intelligence reports of renewed illegal mining operations on farmland behind CKC in Gwagwalada, where artisanal miners reportedly invaded the site after accidentally discovering a gold vein during the digging of a soakaway pit.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the order comes shortly after a successful operation by mining marshals that led to the sealing of another illegal mining site around the District 2 Extension layout in Gwagwalada on August 16, 2025.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the artisanal miners began operations following the accidental gold discovery near a residential property.
Upon receiving reports of the renewed illegal activity, the Minister promptly deployed mining marshals to secure the site.
During an on-site inspection on Wednesday, the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by Deputy Director Sunday Okhuoya, expressed satisfaction with the compliance observed at the site.
Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, Commander of the Mining Marshals, confirmed that his team has established 24-hour surveillance on the affected areas pending the outcome of the Federal Government’s ongoing investigation.
