The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has welcomed the recent judgment that sentenced Ansaru commander Mahmud Usman to 15 years in prison. He described the ruling as a major victory in the ongoing fight against illegal mining in Nigeria.
The judgment, handed down by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, also ordered Usman to face an additional 31 charges.
This announcement was made by Mr. Segun Tomori, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
Dr. Alake commended the judiciary for its support of the ministry’s efforts to eliminate illegal mining, noting that the conviction highlights the role of bandits in using illegal mining to fund their criminal activities.
“It is reassuring that the judiciary supports our zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining,” he said.
The Minister added, “We will continue to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining, with additional measures to be announced in the near future.”
The Ministry will closely monitor the ongoing terrorism cases involving other Ansaru commanders, underscoring the importance of regulators learning from these cases to strengthen their efforts in combating illegal mining.
Dr. Alake also praised the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) for its role in monitoring, detecting, and arresting terrorists, ensuring they face legal consequences.
“We will enhance inter-agency collaboration to boost surveillance and eliminate illegal mining activities carried out by bandits,” the Minister stated.
The Ansaru group, also known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, is a militant Islamist organization. Formed in 2012 as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, Ansaru’s name translates to “Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa.” The group has been involved in several high-profile terrorist attacks, including the 2022 Kuje Prison Break, which led to the release of several inmates, including members of Ansaru, as well as the attack on the Niger Uranium Facility.
