By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Nigerian Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) and the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Niger State chapter, have e...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Nigerian Union of Mine Workers (NUMW) and the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Niger State chapter, have expressed their disappointment over the recent arrest of mining laborers by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Niger State.
At a press briefing in Minna on Wednesday, Hon. Yusuf Shu'aibu Mami, Acting Chairman of MAN, criticized the EFCC's actions, asserting that there is no legal basis for the agency to arrest mining workers. He emphasized that both NUMW and MAN hold certificates of approval from the federal government, and operate in compliance with the law. He also pointed out that the state government has established a committee, led by the Secretary to the State Government, to monitor and prevent illegal mining.
“We have written complaints to the Federal Minister of Mines, the Inspector General of Police, the National Secretariat of MAN and NUMW, and the State Ministry of Mines,” said Hon. Mami. He also shared his own experience with the EFCC, stating that during an interrogation in Kaduna, the agency claimed to be investigating illegal mining activities, but he questioned which law grants the EFCC authority over the mining sector.
Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko, Chairman of NUMW in Niger State, further criticized the EFCC's actions. He noted that the initial arrests of 22 mining workers were followed by 24 more arrests, bringing the total to 46. “Some of those arrested had no bank accounts and were simply working to support their families,” he said. Nasko also expressed confusion over the fact that the workers were not found in the forests, but rather operating machines that process mined land.
Both NUMW and MAN leaders urged the state government to intervene, asserting that the EFCC's actions are outside its jurisdiction and an abuse of power. They called for an investigation into the alleged extortion of money from detainees under the guise of bail, and reaffirmed their commitment to working within the legal framework of the country.
The mining associations emphasized that their members, including traders and laborers, are registered with the appropriate authorities, and that the responsibility for overseeing mining activities lies with the Ministry of Mines, both federal and state security agencies. They called on the government to protect the mining community from such encroachments and to prevent any attempts to undermine their operations.
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