The EFCC has warned traditional rulers involved in illegal mining, highlighting its severe environmental damage, especially in the Niger Delta.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to traditional rulers reportedly involved in illegal mining activities alongside criminals in various parts of Nigeria.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, delivered this message during the two-day inaugural International Anti-Corruption and Climate Change Conference, held in Abuja on Tuesday and organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.

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Olukoyede emphasised that illegal mining poses a significant environmental threat to Nigeria, predicting that the damage it causes could soon surpass the degradation already seen from oil and gas exploration. He urged the public and authorities to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and act swiftly to address it.

“When we are talking about environmental degradation, what is going on now with illegal mining, in another five years, it is going to be much worse than the degradation that oil and gas exploration has caused,” Olukoyede warned.

He described the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining as shocking, noting that some of this destruction is being perpetrated by indigenous people, with the tacit support of certain traditional rulers.

The EFCC Chairman also linked the severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta, such as oil spills and pollution, to corruption rather than natural causes alone. He stated, “The Niger Delta today is riddled with cases of oil spills, pollution, and damage to the ecosystem. This cannot be blamed on natural occurrences alone. Corruption is at the root of climatic disruptions.”

Olukoyede’s remarks underscore the growing concern over the impact of illegal mining and corruption on Nigeria’s environment, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Niger Delta.