No fewer than 30 illegal miners have been arrested by security agencies in Kwara State.
A statement by Taibat Baba Adams, Ministry of Enterprise Press Secretary stated that the Commissioner, Alhaji Abdulwahab Femi Agbaje made this disclosure while addressing officers from the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
The statement quoted Agbaje to have said the life and environment of the people in the Rifun community of Patigi Local Government of the State will continue to be protected from any form of hazard and environmental pollution caused by the effects of the illegal mining sites and activities.
The statement emphasised that illegal mining activities are very unhealthy and can lead to destruction of our landscape, forest and wildlife habitats, further noting that the effect this can cause on the trees, plants and top soils which are being cleared may lead to soil degradation and erosion and destruction of agricultural land and expose the land to wind and washing away of top soil into streams, sediments and polluting the water ways.
It further warned that miners to desist from Illegal activities and particularly that Mining Act in Nigeria clearly spells out punishments on culprits of illegal acts, stating that there is a procedure to obtain license for whoever is interested in carrying out mining activities and enjoined the Community to always be vigilant and at alert to happenings in their areas and escalate and report to appropriate quarters when any illegal mining activity is noticed.