The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has ordered mining marshals to shut down an illegal gold mining site in Gwagwalada, within the Federal Capital Territory, to prevent potential environmental risks.
This directive was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Segun Tomori, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media.
The action follows a previous operation carried out on August 16, 2025, during which another illegal mining site in the District 2 Extension area of Gwagwalada was sealed and 16 suspects were arrested. Authorities have confirmed that the suspects will face prosecution shortly.
“Following reports of illegal gold mining activities in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, directed mining marshals to close the site to prevent possible environmental damage,” the statement noted.
Preliminary investigations revealed that artisanal miners flocked to the area after a gold vein was discovered during the excavation of a soakaway pit near a residential building.
The most recent illegal activity was uncovered on farmland located behind CKC in Gwagwalada.
Upon receiving intelligence about the renewed mining operations, the minister immediately ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure and seal the site.
