The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says its mining marshals have intensified the crackdown on illegal mining, arresting hundreds of suspects and securing convictions nationwide.

The ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍⁠⁠‍‍‌‌corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the joint security news briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Mr Afolabi said the mining marshals arrested more than 300 suspected illegal miners, prosecuted over 150 and secured several convictions.

He said the operations also involved Nigerian and foreign nationals engaged in activities threatening Nigeria’s mineral resources and economic security.

According to him, the figures demonstrate the growing impact of the specialised unit in disrupting illegal mining networks and protecting the country’s mineral wealth.

Mr Afolabi said the marshals were commissioned and established to support the government’s efforts to sanitise the mining sector, protect legitimate operators and prevent criminal exploitation of mineral resources.

He also defended the unit against allegations of misconduct, stressing that the corps would not allow isolated infractions by officials to undermine its legitimate operations.

The spokesperson said officials guilty of wrongdoing were subjected to disciplinary measures, including dismissal and prosecution where necessary.

He cited the dismissal of two operatives and their recommendation for prosecution after investigations found them culpable of unlawfully supplying firearms to illegal miners.

Mr Afolabi also said investigations cleared the mining marshals commander, John Attah, and other management team members of allegations relating to the death of an operative in Nasarawa State.

He said the investigation found no evidence linking the commander or the management team to the alleged diversion of N2 billion or any attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The allegations suggesting otherwise were found to be false and without factual basis,” Mr Afolabi said.

He said the corps remained committed to accountability, adding that officials who violated the law would be investigated and sanctioned appropriately.

Mr Afolabi said illegal mining posed threats beyond environmental degradation, noting that criminal exploitation of mineral resources could fuel organised crime and illicit financial activities.

He said the mining marshals were combining enforcement, intelligence gathering and stakeholder engagement to protect mining communities and legitimate operators.

The spokesperson urged Nigerians to provide credible information that could assist the corps in identifying illegal mining sites and dismantling criminal networks.

He said the NSCDC would sustain its operations to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources were protected and harnessed for national development rather than exploited to fund criminal activities. 

(NAN)