Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, said he was forced to triple the number of his personal security personnel after receiving several death threats from individuals and companies.

As reported by The Punch, Alake disclosed this on Friday, October 10, at a pre-event press briefing ahead of the 10th edition of the Nigeria Mining Week, scheduled to hold from Monday, October 13, to Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Abuja.

The Cable also noted Alake's disclosure.

Alake is a longtime ally of President Bola Tinubu.

Alake beefs up security after death threats

Alake beefs up security after death threats

The reported death threats came from individuals whose mining licences were revoked for failing to comply with government regulations.

Alake said:

“In fact, I have had to triple my personal security because I’ve received several threats from those whose licences were revoked for one form of infraction or the other. One even sent me a text message threatening me directly."

He added:

“They have employed all sorts of tactics to make us reverse these decisions. But I told them, you can go and study my antecedents. We didn’t dance into this office; we fought battles to get here. We are battle-hardened and we will not retreat."

Threats to Alake: Nigerians react

Meanwhile, the revelation has elicited several reactions from Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter).

Legit.ng captured some comments below:

@Abujaclaga commented:

"He needs spiritual security. This country no be clear eye."

@Momopee2 said:

"Wow. But why are people so lawless? How is the country supposed to make it when the people in every sector are always trying to cheat."

Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed commented:

"It's quite unfortunate."

@akanmugbenga1 wrote:

"After revoking those licences, did they enforce it, there is a lot of illegal mining activities going on in the country and some of it have been fingered in the funding of insurgency. The govt should be tough on those funding illegal mining."

@Simplytrendd said:

"Those are the people giving arms to bandits to kill our people, NSA and the military must see the end of these militants."