The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, revealed those behind the release of some Chinese illegal miners arrested in Osun recently.
Adegbite who spoke in Abuja, said powerful Nigerians were behind such moves.
On May 4, some 17 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians were arrested by the Osun dtate Joint Task Force (JTF) for illegal mining in the state.
The Mines and Steel Minister said the government were under immense pressure to release the offenders.
The Minister also intimated that the federal government is working to set up special courts in every state of the federation to check the activities of illegal miners.
Nigeria has massive mining resources and the federal government says it wants to position the sector to contribute three per cent to GDP by 2025.
