The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has revealed that foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining activities and suspected to have links with terrorism have been transferred to the Office of the National Security Adviser for further investigation.
Alake made the disclosure on Friday while speaking with Channels Television in Abuja during a discussion on allegations by some US lawmakers that illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria are connected to terrorism financing.
Although he did not state the exact number of foreign nationals handed over to the NSA, the minister said more than 327 individuals, including foreigners, have been arrested for illegal mining activities. He added that about 142 suspects are currently being prosecuted, while approximately 3,000 mining licences have been revoked.
He attributed the progress recorded in the sector, including an increase in revenue from ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by December 2025, to President Bola Tinubu’s reforms in the solid minerals industry.
The minister said the achievements in the sector, along with gains in other areas of the economy, demonstrate that the administration’s reforms are addressing long-standing corruption and institutional weaknesses.
Alake also urged stakeholders in the mining sector to adopt the right mindset and build stronger social responsibility in order to advance the industry.
On broader regional concerns, President Bola Tinubu had earlier lamented the continued exploitation of mineral resources, warning that it poses a threat to stability in West Africa.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the president made the remarks at the Annual General Meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa.
He called for resource theft and illegal mineral exploitation in the region to be treated as an international crime capable of destabilising West Africa and requiring global action.