Adewale described illegal mining as one of Nigeria's most significant national security threats, citing its role in fueling banditry, terrorism, and environmental degradation.
The police chief listed several states, including Zamfara, Nasarawa, and Kaduna, as hotspots for illegal mining activities, noting that over 72 suspects had been arrested in Abuja alone.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, warned against biased reporting, stating that illegal mining cartels were sponsoring "rogue journalism" to discredit enforcement efforts.
Onoja emphasized the need for collaboration between security agencies and the media to combat illegal mining, highlighting the Marshals' efforts to dismantle illegal camps and prosecute offenders.
The National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dele Ayanleke, echoed concerns about the devastating effects of illegal mining, including child labor, mercury poisoning, and environmental degradation.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Grace Ike, urged journalists to conduct investigative journalism that exposes financiers, amplifies community voices, and pressures policymakers.