The Federal Government has shut down an illegal mining site located in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This operation was carried out by the Mining Marshals under the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, led by Minister Dr. Dele Alake. The peaceful intervention targeted a tin-rich mining site legally owned by Trobell Minerals Limited, which had been taken over by illegal miners for several months.
In a statement released on Monday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the government explained that the operation was carefully planned to avoid confrontation. Instead of using force, the Mining Marshals relied on community engagement, intelligence gathering, and diplomacy to resolve the situation. The result was a peaceful evacuation of the illegal miners without any clash or incident.
The statement noted that the illegal mining activities had led to serious problems in the community, including economic losses, damage to the environment, and increased insecurity. Community members, who had long raised complaints about the miners, expressed relief at the peaceful resolution.
To gain the support of the locals, the Marshals engaged with traditional rulers and involved the community in the discussions. This approach helped them avoid violence and win the trust of residents. The illegal miners left the site under official supervision, bringing an end to months of unlawful activity on the land.
Minister Dele Alake, while marking the one-year anniversary of the establishment of the Mining Marshals, praised the success of the Kaduna operation and said it reflects the new strategy of the government in dealing with illegal mining. He promised more support and resources for the Marshals to make them more effective in their work. “The reward for hard work is more work,” he told the operatives during the commemoration.
He explained that the peaceful success in Damau should be used as a model for similar interventions across Nigeria. Unlike in the past, where enforcement of mining laws often led to clashes and sometimes violence, the Kaduna operation showed that it is possible to get results through cooperation and dialogue.
Dr. Alake urged other communities in Nigeria to support the efforts of the Mining Marshals and report illegal activities. He said community support is essential to drive away illegal miners and restore investor confidence in the solid minerals sector. According to him, the peaceful shutdown in Kaduna shows that with the support of locals and traditional rulers, the federal government can clean up the sector and promote legal, safe, and profitable mining practices.
He added that illegal mining and insecurity remain serious challenges to the development of the mining industry in Nigeria. However, the Damau success shows that combining enforcement with diplomacy can help tackle these problems. “The diplomatic approach is commendable. The activities of the dislodged illegal miners posed a serious threat to lives, livelihoods, and investment. This intervention brings long-awaited relief,” Alake said.
