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Ogah made the remarks at a two-day public hearing organised by the Senate committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy.
The Nigeria's Minister of State for Mine and Steel, Dr Uche Ogah has rendered a damning verdict on those using private jets to smuggle gold into the country.
He advocated capital punishment on the culprits. Mr Ogah made this report at a two-day public hearing organised by the Senate committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy.
The public hearing was set up as an enquiry into the country's $9 billion annual loss in mining and gold snuggling. The minister also recommended harsher punishment for the perpetrators.
"This gold smuggling in Nigeria is often done using private jets, the very reason private jets ownership and operations need to be streamlined in the country.
"These crimes to be fought decisively, potent punitive measures like capital punishment need to be legally provided for", he stated.
Finally he said, smuggling of gold and mining was tantamount to robbing the country billions of dollars every year.
