Illegal miners are facing unprecedented pressure as operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Special Mining Marshals intensified their efforts over the weekend, disrupting illegal mining activities across the country. The crackdown, which has been hailed as a significant step towards sanitizing the mining sector, has drawn praise from industry stakeholders, who have expressed excitement over the progress made so far.
In a recent operation in the Jagula/Okolom area of Yagba East Local Government Area (LGA) in Kogi State, the Special Mining Marshals, led by Commander ACC Attah John Onoja, executed a well-coordinated clearance operation to dislodge illegal miners and bandits who had plagued the area for over a decade. The area, under the mineral title of North South Extractive Company Limited, had been under siege by illegal miners and bandits, defying all efforts by the government and neighboring communities to restore order. For years, the communities faced serious security threats, including kidnappings and other criminal activities.
The inauguration of the Special Mining Marshals by the Federal Government in 2024 marked a turning point for the region. The marshals conducted a successful clearance operation, dislodging illegal miners and bandits from the area. Following the operation, the marshals maintained 24-hour surveillance in the forest, ensuring the safety of the legitimate title holders, who were able to commence road construction and deploy logistics for exploration. This brought a great sigh of relief to the communities, as incidents of kidnapping and other criminal activities reduced drastically.
However, the illegal miners and bandits regrouped in three different locations, approximately 2 kilometers away from the recovered site, posing a renewed threat to the area under North South Extractive Company Limited’s mineral title. In response, the mining marshals carried out another well-coordinated clearance operation after issuing several warnings to the illegal operators to vacate the area.
The operation not only secured the mining site but also provided security protection for legitimate and verified miners, creating job opportunities for youths in the neighboring communities. This has boosted government revenue and paved the way for infrastructural development in the host communities. Traditional rulers in the area have commended the NSCDC Special Mining Marshal Squad for coming to their rescue, describing their efforts as life-changing.
The President of the Nigerian Geological Society, Dr. Adekunle Oladele, has also attributed the overwhelming compliance with mining guidelines to the tenacious work of the marshals. In a statement, Dr. Oladele commended the marshals for their dedication, noting that their efforts have led to a significant increase in compliance rates.
“While arrests of illegal miners are counted, the number of compliance has increased astronomically,” Dr. Oladele said. “This is a clear testament to the effectiveness of the Special Mining Marshals and their commitment to enforcing the law. The mining sector is now seeing a level of order and compliance that was previously unimaginable.”
North South Extractive Company Limited has also sent a commendation letter to the NSCDC, praising the professionalism and patriotism of the mining marshals. The company highlighted the marshals’ role in ensuring the safety of their operations and enabling them to contribute to the economic development of the region.
Commander Onoja emphasized that the marshals are committed to sustaining the momentum. “Our goal is to create a safe and secure environment for legitimate miners to operate,” he said. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that illegal mining activities are completely eradicated.”
The recent crackdown has already yielded significant results, with several illegal mining sites shut down and numerous arrests made. The NSCDC has also seized mining equipment and materials from illegal operators, further disrupting their activities.
Industry stakeholders have expressed optimism that the continued efforts of the Special Mining Marshals will lead to a more sustainable and profitable mining sector. They have called for increased support for the marshals, urging the government to provide them with the necessary resources to carry out their mandate effectively.
As the Special Mining Marshals continue their operations, the hope is that Nigeria’s mining sector will soon be free from the scourge of illegal mining, paving the way for increased investment and growth in the industry a commitment the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Abubakar Ahmed Audi mni is pledged to.
Discover more from Defence News Ng
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Reach an audience of millions.
For advert enquiries, please contact us on:
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
