The mining marshals have shut down an illegal quarry site operating within the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The commander, ACC Attah Onoja, journalists on Friday that the site was shut down on July 31, and 13 suspects have been apprehended.

Mining marshals, drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are a security unit initiated by the minister of solid minerals development, Dele Alake, in 2024 to secure mining sites.

According to Mr Onoja, the 13 suspects are currently in custody and will soon be arraigned in court as investigations are still ongoing.

“The suspects were found to be working for a company which had allegedly occupied and exploited a quarry lease belonging to another licensed mining company for over seven months without legal backing.

“This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector and we will not allow any individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive legitimate operators of their lawful rights,” he said.

The commander warned mining operators to comply with the legal and environmental standards regulating the sector or face the consequences.

“The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all violators, no matter how remote or discreet their operations may be,” he said.

Mr Onoja reiterated the commitment of authorities to restoring order, transparency, and accountability to Nigeria’s mining landscape as part of the broader national agenda to diversify the economy and enhance internal security.

He explained that the unit was established to address illegal mining, which had contributed to revenue loss, environmental degradation, and community conflict in various parts of the country.

“The unit has also been tasked with enforcing compliance with mining regulations and ensuring that all mining activities across the federation are conducted within the bounds of the law.

“The Mining Marshals are motivated by the tacit guidelines of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi.”

(NAN)