The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has expressed deep concern over the rising illegal mining and oil theft cases across Nigeria and other African countries.

Delivering a keynote address at the 12th Annual African Security Symposium held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Audi said these criminal activities not only deplete national wealth but also threaten regional stability, exacerbate conflict, fuel insecurity, and deprive citizens of the benefits of their natural resources.

Represented by Assistant Commandant-General Muktar Lawal, Audi stressed that safeguarding natural resources is a national obligation and a continental responsibility requiring robust collaboration, strategic enforcement, and a shared vision.

He reaffirmed NSCDC’s commitment to partnering with security agencies across the continent to combat illegal mining, oil theft, and other forms of resource sabotage.

In his paper titled “Safeguarding Africa’s Natural Resources: The Strategic Role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Combating Illegal Mining, Vandalism, and Resource Sabotage”, Audi outlined areas for joint collaboration among security agencies to end the illegal exploitation of Africa’s resources by criminal networks.

He noted that Africa is richly endowed with vast natural resources — minerals, oil and gas, forests, and water bodies — which hold immense potential for sustainable development.

However, he lamented that these resources have increasingly become targets of illegal exploitation, vandalism, and transnational organized crime.

Audi explained that the NSCDC has been strategically positioned to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.

He highlighted the corps’ role in disaster management, safeguarding oil pipelines, power installations, and mining sites, and preventing acts of vandalism.

He disclosed that through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation, community engagement, and deployment of specialized units, the NSCDC has recorded significant successes in curbing illegal mining, dismantling illegal refineries, apprehending vandals, and protecting Nigeria’s vital economic lifelines.

On his part, Engr. Jator Abido, a consultant and MD/CEO of Yatov Consult International Limited, who coordinated NSCDC’s participation at the symposium, assured that the corps can replicate its successful operations across Africa, given the significant achievements it has recorded in protecting critical national assets and boosting revenue generation in Nigeria.