‘I've Been Receiving Threats For Saying Powerful Nigerians Are Responsible For Illegal Mining, Banditry And Terrorism’ — Alake

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has confirmed that he has been receiving life-threatening messages over his comment on banditry associated with illegal mining in Nigeria.

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, claims he has been threatened ever since he revealed that wealthy Nigerians engaged in illicit mining are also funding kidnappings and banditry in the nation.

Speaking on Monday, January 22, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the minister stated: “I said it during my Ministry's budget defence at the National Assembly that powerful Nigerians are behind the banditry associated with illegal minings in the country.

Read: Alake Alleges That Prominent Illegal Miners Fund Terrorism

“I said it openly. However, since I made the disclosure, I have been receiving threats but we are undaunted because it has to be said.

“In any case, I was not saying anything new. Most people knew it. Most people have been saying it. I only gave it an official stamp based on the intelligence report.

“There is a lot of connivance among the strata of the society, both the high, medium and low. It is not an exclusive preserve of just the high up.”