Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has hailed the conviction of Mahmud Usman, a leader of the Ansaru terrorist group, as a significant achievement in the battle against illegal mining in the country.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by his media assistant, Segun Tomori, Alake noted that a Federal High Court in Abuja, had sentenced Usman to 15 years in prison for conducting illegal mining activitie
The decision was made on September 11, after Usman, who also goes by the names Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar, admitted guilt to one of the charges against him.
Usman’s second-in-command, Abubakar Abba, was also involved in the case.
Together, they were accused of illegally mining valuable minerals, such as thunder stones and california stones, without permission from 2015 to 2025.
Alake emphasized that the ruling shows how terrorists are involved in illegal mining to finance their activities.
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He expressed appreciation for the judiciary’s support in the fight against these illegal practices, stating that the outcome reflects a mutual commitment to ending illegal mining in Nigeria.
He announced plans for stricter measures to combat illegal mining and said the ministry will continue to keep an eye on other pending cases involving members of the Ansaru group to enhance their strategies against illegal mining.
Additionally, Alake praised the efforts of the Department of State Services (DSS) for their diligent work in tracking down and apprehending terrorists, ensuring they face justice.
He also mentioned a commitment to improving cooperation between various government agencies to enhance surveillance and eliminate illegal mining practices that threaten communities.
