Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak has announced the deportation of 107 foreign nationals for their involvement in unauthorized mining and fraudulent schemes.

He stressed that moving forward, any foreign individuals apprehended for such crimes would face immediate expulsion.

Speaking at the Police Regional Commanders' Conference on Friday, March 21, the Minister reiterated the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal mining and clamping down on fraudulent activities linked to foreign operatives.

“I have written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that from now on, any equipment found at galamsey sites or in forests must have its tax details traced to the owners,” he said. “If you are renting out your bulldozers or other equipment to galamsey operators while staying at home, we will track the tax records and come for you.”

Addressing concerns over foreign nationals involved in unlawful activities, the Minister reaffirmed the government's firm position on the matter.

“The foreigners we find in our forests, what do we do with them? Since I became Interior Minister, we have repatriated well over 107 foreign nationals caught in fraud and galamsey operations,” he stated.

He further instructed Regional Police Commanders to report any foreigners discovered in forest areas to immigration authorities for immediate deportation.

“I want to make it clear to all Regional Police Commanders that any foreigner found in our forests should be immediately reported to immigration authorities for deportation. Our first option is always to send them back to their countries, and we will not compromise on this.”

The Minister also cautioned police officers against failing to enforce this directive.

“I have written to the IGP, and I insist that if any commander fails to forward arrested foreigners for repatriation, it will mean they do not want to be part of this regime,” he warned.

He added that such officers would be reassigned to different roles, possibly in areas where illegal mining or foreign criminal activities are not a concern.

“In that case, they will be reassigned elsewhere, perhaps to a place where they would not have to deal with galamsey or illegal people conducting activities in our country.”