The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has urged youths in Kogi State to pressure community leaders to stop shielding illegal miners.

Alake made the call Thursday while responding to members of Concerned Kogi Youths Against Environmental Degradation who protested at the ministry in Abuja.

The minister, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, said the government was strengthening efforts to tackle illegal mining across the country.

He said technology was being deployed alongside the Mining Marshals to improve enforcement and prevent illegal miners from operating with impunity.

Kogi, he noted, remains an area of particular concern to the ministry.

Alake recalled that the Mining Marshal’s first operation involved the removal of illegal miners from licence 19325, belonging to North-South Extractive Industries in Yagba East Local Government Area.

He said investigations by ministry committees had also shown that some illegal mining activities involved local residents rather than outsiders.

According to the minister, some of the miners allegedly operate with the support of elders, traditional rulers and local government officials.

He disclosed that Mining Marshals identified 374 illegal mining sites between March 2024 and August 2026.

Of the identified sites, 108 have so far been cleared, while 743 suspects were arrested.

Alake added that 165 cases involving 430 accused persons were currently being prosecuted, with five convictions secured so far.

He said illegal mining was affecting licensed mining companies by depriving them of minerals and government revenue.

The minister urged Kogi youths to engage community leaders and local authorities to allow enforcement agencies to perform their duties.

He warned that the government’s increased use of technology and the strengthening of the Mining Marshals would make it increasingly difficult for illegal miners to operate.

The protesters had earlier raised concerns about alleged environmental degradation in Kogi East, particularly in Ankpa and Omala local government areas.

Speaking for the group, its coordinator, Comrade Isaiah Davies Ijele, alleged that some mining operations were being conducted in violation of environmental and regulatory requirements.

He claimed the activities had contributed to damaged roads, destroyed farmland, polluted water sources and worsening living conditions in affected communities.

Ijele called for investigations into mining activities in Ankpa and Omala and urged the ministry to deploy its Mines Inspectorate and Mining Marshals where necessary.

Responding on behalf of the ministry, Director of Mining Environmental Compliance, Dr Vivian Okono, said authorities were compiling a list of mining companies allegedly defaulting on their Community Development Agreements.

She said the names would be published and additional penalties imposed as appropriate.