Wednesday, August 19, 2026 - The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining
Marshals on Wednesday commended the Nigerian Army for its cooperation in the
fight against illegal mining following the arrest and handover of 18 suspected
illegal miners apprehended at a mining site in Izom, Gurara Local Government
Area of Niger State.
The suspects were arrested by troops of the 102 Guard
Battalion during a routine operation in the area, where the soldiers uncovered
alleged unauthorised mining activities.
Following the arrests, the Army handed over the suspects and
exhibits recovered from the site to the NSCDC Mining Marshals headquarters in
Sauka, Abuja, in line with established inter-agency protocols.
The collaboration comes amid intensified efforts by security
and regulatory agencies to tackle illegal mining, which has raised concerns
over the loss of government revenue, environmental degradation and the
diversion of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Reacting to the development in a statement, the Commander of
the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah,
described the Army’s action as exemplary, unprecedented and patriotic.
Attah said the development reinforced the military’s
commitment to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and supporting efforts to
sanitise the mining sector.
He said, “The Nigerian Army has once again distinguished
itself through professionalism, discipline and patriotism. The swift arrest of
the suspects and their prompt handover to the Mining Marshals reflect a
commendable commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Nigeria’s solid
mineral resources.”
Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals indicated
that the suspects allegedly operated without licences, permits or affiliation
with any registered mining company.
The investigators also said the suspects could not provide
evidence of lawful mineral titles or authorisation from the relevant regulatory
authorities.
Several items suspected to have been used for the illegal
mining operation were recovered from the site. They included motorcycles,
pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices and cash amounting to
N2,468,750.
Attah reiterated the determination of the Mining Marshals to
ensure that individuals involved in illegal mining were brought to justice.
He added that the Corps, under the leadership of its
Commandant-General, Prof Ahmed Audi, would continue to deploy
intelligence-driven enforcement measures against what he described as economic
saboteurs operating in the mining sector.
The commander also assured stakeholders in the solid
minerals industry that the Mining Marshals remained committed to enforcing the
provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and protecting the nation’s
mineral wealth from illegal exploitation.
Also speaking, Abdul Ben of the Open Dialogue Initiative
praised the Nigerian Army for what he described as a professional operation,
saying the military’s intervention had further strengthened ongoing efforts to
curb illegal mining across the country.
The Mining Marshals said investigations had been concluded
and that the suspects were being processed for prosecution in accordance with
the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
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