The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, have denied allegations that their personnel provide security for illegal miners in the country.
The duo made the denial on Thursday in Abuja during a public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Mineral Resources, chaired by Jonathan Gaza.
The Defence Chief, who was represented by the Director of Operations, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ilo, said army personnel only provide protection for legitimate requests made by legitimate miners, who operate in conflict-inflicted areas, assuring that the armed forces of Nigeria were always ready to give all the necessary support needed to stop illegal mining.
For his part, IGP Egbetokun, who was represented by AIG Ademola Hamzat, said no responsible organisation paid by the public would do anything that would be against the people’s wish, adding that the police often provide security to some individuals established to be under serious threat, especially in crisis areas.
