The federal government is partnering with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to boost Nigeria’s response to the illicit mineral trade.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

The UNODC delegation led by project coordinator on counter-terrorism, Tom Parker, visited the minister in Abuja. Mr Parker commended Alake’s efforts, particularly the creation of mining marshals, who have arrested 327 suspects and prosecuted 143 since early 2024.

Mr Alake said the project would support the government’s efforts to tackle illegal mining and crimes funded by proceeds from illicit natural resource extraction.

Funded by the Canadian government, the project aims to build the capacity of criminal justice actors in fighting related financial crimes.

This includes the detection, investigation, and prosecution of illicit financial flows linked to conflict financing, armed groups, and money laundering in the solid minerals sector.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to tackling illegal mining through various targeted policies and reforms.

He highlighted the mining marshals policy, a unit he initiated under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to avoid legal hurdles.

The unit’s personnel were trained in tactical and strategic skills to detect, engage, and stop illegal miners, bandits, and other sectoral criminals.

“In the illegal mining space, we created the mining marshals. I realised we needed a dedicated security framework for the mining sector. I sought the President’s approval for the unit. They have since arrested and prosecuted several illegal miners across the country. The aim is to send a strong message that illegal operations will no longer be tolerated. The results have been encouraging,” Mr Alake said.

He added that more operators are now regularising their activities and complying with Nigeria’s mining laws and regulations. The minister revealed that Mr Tinubu has also approved a satellite monitoring system to prevent illegal practices at mining sites further.

He said the system would help security personnel detect incident locations and dispatch forces swiftly to affected areas.

(NAN)