President Bola Tinubu has warned that illegal mining is a major threat to peace and development in West Africa.
He said countries in the region must treat the theft and illegal mining of mineral resources as international crimes because of their link to insecurity and economic decline.
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Tinubu’s message was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, during the annual meeting of the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) held in Abuja.
The president expressed sadness that even after many years of independence, corruption and the stealing of natural resources continue to slow down development in the region.
“It is time to treat the theft and illegal mining of minerals as serious international crimes because they threaten peace and stability in our region,” Tinubu said.
He called on West African leaders to unite in the fight against groups involved in illegal mining, noting that such activities worsen poverty and insecurity.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, urged West African countries to adopt the ECOWAS agreement on fighting corruption to ensure that corrupt individuals have nowhere to hide.
“We must make sure there is no safe place for criminals. Anyone who causes trouble in our countries should not find peace,” Fagbemi said.
NACIWA is a network of anti-corruption agencies from ECOWAS member states that work together to fight corruption.
The current chairman of the organization is Ola Olukoyede, who is also the Chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).