Minister of state for mines and steel development, Dr. Uche Ogah, yesterday said that some private jet owners are aiding smuggling of gold in the country.
Ogah stated this during an investigative hearing on the $9 billion annual loss to illegal mining and smuggling of gold, organised by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development, and Metallurgy.
The minister who called for capital punishment for offenders said Gold smuggling in Nigeria is often done using private jets.
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Also, a member of the committee, Senator Francis Fadaunsi, alleged that Gold smuggling and Illegal mining are carried out by political elites and not just the poor masses at the illegal mining sites.
In his closing remarks, the chairman of the committee, Senator Tanko Al-Makura said for a thorough investigation of the menace, heads of relevant government agencies would be summoned for more clinical interface.
