The Nigerian government has been urged to respond to serious allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), regarding the involvement of senior military officials in illegal mining operations across the country. Oshiomhole accused both serving and retired military officers of backing foreign miners, particularly Chinese operators, in exploiting Nigeria’s mineral resources with impunity.
Speaking on Sparkling FM’s morning discussion programme Let’s Talk Nigeria, legal expert and notary public Leonard Anyogo insisted that the federal government must not ignore such a grave accusation from a serving senator. He argued that the claims should be thoroughly investigated to maintain public trust in the country’s governance and security institutions.
A widely circulated video shows Oshiomhole speaking on a panel, where he alleged that high-ranking generals were enabling illegal mining activities. According to him, these individuals had “weaponised the processes,” allowing foreign miners to extract resources worth billions of dollars without any resistance. He further claimed that these miners operate freely, using helicopters to transport the minerals while avoiding scrutiny.
Oshiomhole also revealed that during his tenure as APC national chairman, he brought the issue to then-President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to hold the implicated generals accountable. However, he stated that Buhari failed to take any action, raising concerns about whether different laws apply to the powerful and the ordinary citizens.
Anyogo reiterated that the allegations were too significant to be overlooked. He called on the Public Prosecution Commission to publicly name the officers involved, arguing that transparency was necessary to restore faith in Nigeria’s legal and economic systems. He also stressed that addressing the issue promptly would help attract direct foreign investment and improve Nigeria’s international standing.
The allegations have sparked outrage among the public, with several callers on the radio programme demanding immediate government intervention. Many also challenged Oshiomhole to disclose the names of the accused officers, insisting that accountability should not be selective.
