The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised the alarm over the rising cases of illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
It specifically alleged that the involvement of foreigners in illicit business in the state is on the increase.
The state Commandant of NSCDC, Umar Muhammed Ibrahim, stated this at the just concluded 53rd Annual General Meeting of Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) held at the secretariat of the chamber in Ilorin.
Ibrahim regretted that the aliens cart away the nation’s resources and return peanut to the host communities as their own share of the disposed natural endowment.
“We have so many illegal miners in this state, especially foreigners; they are taking our natural resources and give us peanut back. We need to work together with organizations like KWACCIMA”, he said.
Ibrahim canvassed the support of the people of the state to fight illegal mining to its lowest ebb.
The commandant, who emphasized the need to protect the country’s mineral resources from illegal miners, appealed to the people of the state to support the law enforcement agencies in fighting illegal mining in the state.
He promised that the security agencies would only identify with legitimate businesses.
Speaking at the event, the immediate-past of KWACCIMA President, Olalekan Fatai Ayodimeji, said the chamber was not in support of illegal mining.
He added that the leadership of the chamber would soon convene a meeting with the state command of NSCDC to explore ways of curbing the unwholesome business in the state.
