RismadarVoice Reporters
November 3, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to intensify its crackdown on illegal mining by targeting financiers, mineral buyers, compromised public officials, and other individuals allegedly involved in illicit mineral extraction and trading.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the commission would focus on dismantling criminal networks rather than limiting enforcement operations to the arrest of miners at excavation sites.
He disclosed this on Tuesday during a public lecture and capacity-building workshop organised by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to Olukoyede, illegal mining activities are often sustained by organised networks involving financiers, transporters, mineral buyers and individuals who facilitate documentation or provide protection.
He explained that arresting people found at mining locations would have limited impact unless investigators identified those financing the operations and benefiting from their proceeds.
The EFCC chairman disclosed that the commission recorded 52 illegal mining cases between October 2023 and July 2026.
He also reported that the agency had secured the forfeiture of 102 tonnes of solid minerals during the period.
Olukoyede said financial investigations remained central to the commission’s strategy because proceeds from illegal mining could move through bank accounts, businesses, commercial transactions and asset acquisitions.
He clarified that the EFCC was not responsible for issuing mining licences or regulating mining operations.
Rather, its mandate covers the investigation of suspected corruption, fraud, money laundering, illicit financial flows and proceeds linked to criminal activities.
The chairman also expressed concern about the relationship between illegal mining and insecurity, warning that unregulated extraction and mineral trading could create opportunities for smuggling, extortion and violence.
He said public officials found to have abused their positions to facilitate illegal mining or conceal criminal proceeds would face investigation and possible prosecution.
Olukoyede called for stronger cooperation among mining regulators, financial intelligence institutions, law enforcement agencies, customs authorities and revenue agencies.
He also urged traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations and residents of mining communities to report suspicious activities.
The EFCC chairman maintained that sustained enforcement would require tracing financial transactions, recovering unlawfully acquired assets and prosecuting individuals where sufficient evidence exists.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and preventing criminal networks from profiting through illegal extraction and trade.
