The federal government said it has arrested a total of 327 illegal miners across the country over the past year, since the establishment of the mining marshals.

 This was disclosed by Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, in a press conference held in Abuja.

According to Alake, the mining marshals, set up to tackle the issue of illegal mining in the country, have been working tirelessly to identify and apprehend individuals and groups involved in the illicit activity. 

The marshals have been deployed to various mining sites across the country, where they have been conducting raids and arresting those found to be mining illegally.

"The federal government is committed to ensuring that the mining sector is regulated and that all mining activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally friendly manner," Alake said. "The arrest of these 327 illegal miners is a testament to our commitment to this goal, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring all those involved in illegal mining to justice," he stated.

The arrest of the illegal miners is seen as a major breakthrough in the government's efforts to tackle the issue of illegal mining, which has been a major concern for the country. Illegal mining has been linked to a range of problems, including environmental degradation, loss of revenue, and even violence and crime.

The government has warned that it will not tolerate any form of illegal mining, and that those found to be involved in the activity will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 

The mining marshals have been empowered to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be mining illegally, and to seize any equipment or minerals found at the scene of the crime.

The arrest of the 327 illegal miners is a significant milestone in the government's efforts to regulate the mining sector, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering engaging in illegal mining activities.

In a related development, the government has announced that it will be establishing a new task force to tackle the issue of illegal mining in the country. 

The task force, which will be made up of representatives from the mining marshals, the police, and other relevant agencies, will be responsible for coordinating the government's efforts to combat illegal mining and to bring those involved to justice.

The government has also announced that it will be providing support to legitimate miners, including providing them with access to funding, training, and other resources. This is aimed at encouraging more people to engage in legitimate mining activities, and to reduce the incentive for people to engage in illegal mining.

The arrest of the 327 illegal miners has been welcomed by stakeholders in the mining sector, who have praised the government for its efforts to tackle the issue of illegal mining. The stakeholders have called on the government to continue to take a tough stance on illegal mining, and to provide more support to legitimate miners.

As the government continues to crack down on illegal mining, it is hoped that the sector will become more regulated and that the country will be able to reap the full benefits of its mineral resources.