Retired generals behind illegal mining, says Oshiomhole

PUNCH

The Senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that retired military generals are behind illegal mining across the country.

Oshiomhole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, made the allegation on Friday when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Sampson Ekong, submitted his 2025 budget report before the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

The former Governor of Edo State, who is a member of the Appropriations Committee, said the retired military generals are known to him and everyone.

He also recalled a letter he wrote to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue of illegal mining when he was in office.

Oshiomhole said, “The ongoing illegal mining across the country is being carried out by retired generals, and we know them. Yes, we know them. Nobody in Africa doesn’t know them. I wrote a letter to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter when he was in office…