Senator Adams Oshiomhole has raised concerns about illegal mining in Nigeria, accusing some retired military generals of working with foreigners to steal the country’s solid minerals. He made this statement during an interview on Arise TV on February 4, 2025. Oshiomhole clarified that he was not accusing all retired generals, but only those involved in these illegal activities.

Oshiomhole explained that his claim is based on information from a retired general who personally witnessed illegal mining operations. The general saw foreigners extracting valuable minerals with the help of some retired military officers. Concerned about the security risks, the senator asked the retired general to document his findings in a report.

He later submitted the report to former President Muhammadu Buhari, hoping that action would be taken. The report warned that if illegal mining continued unchecked, it could lead to serious security threats, possibly worse than the insurgency in the Northeast.

Oshiomhole questioned how foreigners, who are not geologists, could enter Nigeria, find mineral-rich sites, and start mining without insider support. He insisted that such large-scale illegal operations could not happen without the backing of influential individuals.

The senator acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is taking steps to address the problem. Recently, the government introduced mining marshals to protect Nigeria’s mining sites. Oshiomhole believes this is a positive move and hopes it will help reduce illegal activities in the sector.