By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says its Mining Marshals have intensified their nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities, warning operators flouting the country’s mining regulations that they risk prosecution.
The renewed enforcement drive is part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, protect legitimate mining investments and curb the illegal exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
The specialised enforcement unit said its teams, particularly in the South-West region, had stepped up operations to ensure that mining activities were conducted in compliance with existing laws and regulatory requirements.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, said operators could not rely on ignorance of the law as a defence for violating mining regulations.
“Ignorance of the law will never be an excuse. Every operator must ensure that mining activities are conducted within the ambit of the law. Those who choose to operate outside the regulatory framework will face the full weight of legal consequences,” Onoja said.
He said the enforcement campaign was not only targeted at shutting down illegal mining operations but also aimed at protecting legitimate investors, plugging revenue leakages and restoring confidence in the solid minerals sector.
The Mining Marshals were established as a specialised enforcement mechanism of the NSCDC to support the Federal Government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and strengthen the protection of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The renewed operations come as the government intensifies efforts to reposition the mining sector as a major contributor to economic diversification, amid concerns over illegal exploitation, environmental degradation and the loss of potential government revenue.
The NSCDC has increasingly linked illegal mining to wider national security concerns, with proceeds from illicit mineral exploitation believed to have the potential to support criminal activities and undermine efforts to secure mineral-rich communities.
The Corps has also strengthened collaboration with relevant government agencies and stakeholders as part of efforts to improve intelligence gathering, enforcement and prosecution of mining-related offences.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, has placed the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure among the Corps’ priorities, with the Mining Marshals serving as a key component of its efforts to safeguard the nation’s mineral resources.
The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has similarly continued to emphasise regulatory compliance, investor protection and the eradication of illegal mining as necessary steps towards building a more transparent and productive mining industry.
The Mining Marshals said enforcement would continue across the country, warning that operators must obtain the necessary licences and approvals and comply with applicable mining regulations.
The Corps reiterated that legitimate mining activities would be supported, but those operating outside the law would face the consequences.
