••Former Military Leaders Strongly Deny Allegations and Demand Retraction
By John Audu.
Retired generals have sharply criticized former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole over his recent allegations linking retired military personnel to illegal mining activities in Nigeria. Brig. Gen. John Sura (retd.), a former commander of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division, condemned Oshiomhole’s claims as “the highest level of falsehood.”
Oshiomhole, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, made the allegations during a Senate Committee meeting when the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Sampson Ekong, presented his report. He expressed concern that the ongoing issues of illegal mining could undermine the economic diversification efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In response to Oshiomhole’s accusations, Sura stated that no retired general would engage in activities that compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty. “As a retired general, your priority is Nigeria. Mining is not meant for just an ordinary person who does not have the resources and licenses to engage in it. Therefore, any allegation being made is simply falsehood intended to tarnish reputations,” he said.
Sura emphasized that most retired generals, apart from those involved in politics, lead quiet lives, relying on their pensions and caring for their families.
He labeled Oshiomhole’s allegations as the highest level of disrespect to the esteemed nature of a general,” asserting that both active and retired officers are trained to prioritize the country’s economic and political stability over personal interests.
Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (retd.) also refuted Oshiomhole’s claims, stating he was not aware of any retired general participating in illegal mining. “As far as I am concerned, I am not aware of any retired general behind illegal mining in Nigeria. There is no reason for that. That is misinformation,” he asserted.
