By Joy Odor Abuja
The Federal Government has scored a significant victory in its ongoing battle against illegal mining and terrorism with the conviction of Mahmud Usman, a commander of the notorious Ansaru group, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The ruling, delivered last Thursday by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, also saw Usman remanded to face 31 additional charges related to terrorism.
Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, lauded the verdict, calling it a “major win” in the fight against illegal mining, which has become a key funding mechanism for armed bandits and terrorists.
Speaking in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Alake emphasized that the conviction of Usman sends a clear message that the government is closing in on criminal syndicates exploiting the mining sector.
“This verdict is a powerful affirmation that bandits use illegal mining to fund their terrorist activities. The judiciary’s alignment with our mission of zero tolerance for illegal mining is a critical step forward in our efforts to eradicate these criminal operations,” Alake said.
The Minister revealed that the government would closely monitor the remaining 31 terrorism cases against Ansaru members, including several high-profile attacks on military installations and the 2022 Kuje Prison break.
He warned that further “drastic measures” would be implemented shortly to tighten the noose on criminal mining activities.
“The fight against illegal mining is not over; this is just the beginning. We are committed to escalating our efforts with even tougher actions,” Alake asserted.
Usman, a high-ranking member of the Ansaru group, which is linked to multiple terrorist attacks, including the Wawa Cantonment assault and the Kuje prison raid, was found guilty of using illegal mining to fund terror operations across northern Nigeria.
The group, which calls itself the “Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa,” has long been a thorn in the side of Nigeria’s national security.
Alake commended the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) for its crucial role in monitoring, detecting, and arresting terrorists like Usman, vowing to intensify inter-agency collaboration in the fight against illegal mining and terrorism.
“We will enhance cooperation with other agencies to step up surveillance and eradicate illegal mining networks being used by terrorists. The security of our mining sector is paramount, and we will not allow criminals to hijack it for their nefarious purposes,” Alake vowed.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the Mining Marshals in 2024, a government initiative designed to combat illegal mining and secure Nigeria’s mining industry.
Alake’s statements underscore the government’s resolve to clamp down on the dangerous intersection of terrorism and illegal mining that continues to destabilize the region.
The landmark ruling against Usman is expected to have far-reaching implications, not only for the mining sector but also for Nigeria’s broader counterterrorism efforts.
As the government ramps up its crackdown on illegal mining, the message to terrorists and criminal organizations is clear: The law will not be lenient.
