Illegal Mining: Minister hails Nigerian court verdict against Ansaru Commander over economic sabotage

*Dr. Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, declares the court verdict has finally established that bandits engaged in illegal mining to fund their equally illicit operations across Nigeria

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Dr. Dele Alake, Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals Development (MSMD),  has described the court verdict that sentenced Mahmud Usman, Ansaru Commander, to 15 years’ imprisonment as a major victory in the war against illegal mining in Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, FCT, Thursday, September 11, 2025, and found Usman guilty, remanding the accused in prison to face 31 other charges.

Commending the Nigerian Judiciary for supporting the Federal Government’s efforts at tackling illegal mining in the economy, Dr. Alake said the verdict had finally established that bandits have engaged in illegal mining to fund their equally illicit operations across the country.

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Segun Tomori, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Sunday, September 14 stated the Minister also said: “It is gratifying for me that the Judiciary is aligned with the Ministry’s objective of zero tolerance for illegal mining.

“Further tightening of the noose around illegalities in mining continues as more drastic measures will be announced shortly.”

Alake disclosed his Ministry should monitor the proceedings of the remaining 31 cases of terrorism against the Ansaru commanders.

He further stated that regulators of the mining sector have a lot to learn from these cases to improve capacity to counter illegal mining in Nigeria.

Alake also applauded the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) for the yeoman’s job of monitoring, detecting, and arresting terrorists to face the wrath of the law.

He assured: “We shall increase inter-agency collaboration to raise the tempo of surveillance to rid our communities of illegal mining perpetrated by bandits.”

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The statement as well noted the movement, translated as the Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa, the Ansaru group is facing court charges for attacking the Nigerian Army Wawa Cantonment and raiding Kuje Prisons, Abuja, in 2022, among other terrorist activities.

It is recalled the Minister for Solid Minerals Development established the Mining Marshals, in 2024, to combat illegal mining and improve the security of the sector.