A group known as Licensed and Legal Coal Miners in Kogi State has expressed support for the state government over its enforcement of the Federal Government’s ban on illegal mining activities across the country.
In a statement over the weekend, the group said that, through the operation of the state’s joint task force, which includes the Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, 21 trucks loaded with coal, and amounting to 945 tons being product of illegal mining, were impounded between last 18th December and 7th January.
Also in the joint task force are the State Security Service, Federal Mines Office in Kogi State, State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources and Kogi State Vigilante Service.
The statement by the Executive Chairman of Etazuma Mining and Industry, Dr. Innocent Ezuma; Managing Director of Koyla Energy Limited, Partha Ghosh; and Managing Director of Mosra Energy Limited, Dr. Ramos, explained that, on 8th January, an application was filed before the Federal High Court, Lokoja seeking an order of forfeiture of the 945 tons of coal to Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The group said that last Thursday, Justice Abdul Dogo of the Federal High Court granted an interim forfeiture order for the 945 tons of coal to Federal Government of Nigeria.
The court directed that the Notice of Order be pasted in public places, including Federal High Court, State High Court and various mining sites in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, where the products were impounded for any interested person to show cause why the order should not be made absolute/final.
The court further ordered: “The pasting/publication should be done within seven (7) days after the date of this order, while the return date for the final order is 1st February 2024.
“The applicant should file affidavit of compliance with pictures to prove the publication”.
A day after the court order, 24 licensed mining companies visited Kogi State to show appreciation to the state government and the security agencies in the task force for what it described as “this unprecedented containment action”.
The group also made inputs to improve upon the operations of the joint task force.
The statement further read: “We the Licensed and Legal Coal Miners in Kogi State hereby issue this press statement to express our support for and earnest appreciation to the President of the Federal Government of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu; The Minster of Solid Mineral Development, Mr. Dele Alake, The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello; and the above named security agencies, especially the State Security Services, Kogi State Command which is coordinating the operation for taking up the fight against economic saboteurs who have the tendency to breed terrorism for leaving no stone unturned to stop the menace of illegal mining with its negative impact on the economy and security of the country.
“We sincerely hope that the fight will be sustained to the full eradication of illegal mining activities not only in the coal mining sector but in all aspects of mining in Nigeria.
“We implore other state governments and security agencies to also take up the fight against illegal mining and economic sabotage in the best interest of the economy and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
