A retired military officer, Major General Bamidele Olawumi (retd.), has strongly criticized Senator Adams Oshiomhole for alleging that retired military generals are complicit in illegal mining activities in Nigeria.
The PUNCH reported that Oshiomhole had claimed, “Those involved in illegal mining are people in high places, including retired generals. These are not unknown people. They are well-known people with private armies who protect their illegal mining sites.”
The statement has sparked widespread condemnation, particularly from retired officers, who feel unfairly targeted.
Among the most vocal critics is Olawumi, who labeled Oshiomhole’s comments as “reckless, baseless, and offensive,” accusing the senator of unfairly tarnishing the reputation of retired generals.
“As a retired general who has faithfully served this country, I find Senator Oshiomhole’s comments not only false but a direct affront to my person and the legacy of my service. His reckless generalisation has exposed retired generals like myself to unwarranted public scorn and suspicion,” Olawumi said in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday.
He called on Oshiomhole to either substantiate his claims or retract them entirely.
“If he possesses credible evidence of any retired general involved in illegal mining, the responsible action would be to report such individuals to the Department of State Services or other relevant authorities. Resorting to baseless public accusations without proof is unpatriotic and irresponsible,” he stated.
Olawumi further demanded a public apology, emphasizing that Oshiomhole’s remarks have unfairly discredited retired military officers.
“I demand an immediate apology to all retired generals who have been unfairly maligned by this reckless statement. If he cannot provide evidence to substantiate his claims, Senator Oshiomhole should refrain from making such damaging comments in the future,” he asserted.
The retired general also expressed concern that such allegations could erode public trust in retired officers while distracting from efforts to combat illegal mining.
He remarked, “Oshiomhole must understand that words carry weight, especially when spoken by someone of his standing. Loose accusations without evidence serve no purpose other than to tarnish reputations and create unnecessary tension.”
On addressing the menace of illegal mining, Olawumi urged the Federal Government to prioritize regulatory enforcement and impose severe penalties on offenders.
He also advocated for the establishment of a dedicated task force to combat the issue. “Enforcement of severe penalties on offenders,” he suggested, adding, “Establish a task force comprising security agencies, environmental experts, and local community representatives to monitor and report illegal mining activities.”
