A security analyst, Dr. Yahuza Getso, has warned that illegal mining activities in parts of northern Nigeria have become deeply intertwined with corruption, insecurity, and institutional complicity, forming what he described as an "economic conglomerate" that sustains violence and illegal resource extraction.

Speaking in a recent interview on Trust TV, Getso, who is also the Managing Director of Eagles Integrated Security and Logistics Company, argued that the boundaries between mining operations, insecurity, and corruption have blurred into a single system driven by profit and enabled by weak oversight.

He said: "Corruption has become a kind of, you know, this issue of mining security has become the issue of security and mining security. Insecurity."

Expanding on the interconnected nature of the problem, he added: "Three words. Security, mining security and the insecurity. When you look at them, they have become a kind of conglomerate, economic conglomerate where every responsible person who wants to make money ventures into it."

According to him, the failure of anti-corruption institutions has worsened the situation. "The anti-graft agencies have failed poorly and woefully in handling and managing the issue of anti-graft corruption," he said, although he acknowledged that some prosecutions still occur: "Even today, people, big people have been arraigned and been charged for corruption, even today as we speak."

However, he warned that what he described as "selective justice" is undermining accountability. "When you have selective justice, when you have Mr. A, who has stolen billions and is being celebrated by the government, simply probably because he's a member of party A or party B," he said.

On security institutions, Getso raised concerns about leadership and accountability within the system. "Complicity between the cycle of the leadership of the security agencies," he stated, adding: "Why are we promoting men and officers who cannot prove this result?"

He further claimed that criminal mining networks in Nigeria are increasingly dominated by foreign actors working with local collaborators like the Lakurawa bandits. "Those who are committing atrocities in Nigeria, 99.9% of them are Nigerians. It is only those who emerged in the recent time… that are foreigners," he said.

According to him, these groups, which include various terror groups including the Lakurawa, operate by embedding themselves within local communities. "Most of them are foreigners. But they have been given an enabling environment whereby they are recruiting Nigerians into their mind, having mandates."

He alleged that illegal mining operations are being shielded in parts of Sokoto State. "I have proven evidences of an area in Sokoto State where they [Lakurawa bandits] are providing cover for foreign companies or for foreigners… Lakurawas are providing cover for mining activities."

He further detailed the geographic spread of the alleged operations, pointing to Kebbe Local Government Area. "In Kebbe local government in Sokoto State, the local government is divided into two," he explained, linking it to neighbouring areas in Kebbi State including Maiyama, Koko/Besse, Fakai and Jega LGAs.

He insisted his claims were based on evidence submitted to authorities. "I have evidence, and I have presented it to the highest level of authority," he said. "My responsibility is, I have the passion, I have the interest, I am ready… risking my life."

On his role in the intelligence chain, he added: "I have generated the information, and I have written detailed reports, which I have shared."

With the growing concerns over illegal mining in Nigeria's northwest, analysts have repeatedly warned that mineral-rich areas are becoming hotspots for armed groups, illicit financiers, and weak enforcement systems.