The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Plateau State has launched a fresh offensive against the alarming rise in child labour within illegal mining communities, warning parents and guardians to desist from exposing their children to hazardous work environments.

Commandant Ishaku Musa, who heads the NSCDC in the state, issued the warning during a press briefing held at the Corps’ headquarters in Jos. He described the trend of children engaged in mining as a disturbing breach of national laws and a stark reminder of eroding societal values.

“It is disturbing and heartbreaking to witness children some barely seven years old risking their lives in dangerous mining sites when they should be in school,” Commandant Musa lamented. “This abuse will no longer be tolerated. We are taking action, and we expect every stakeholder to join in this fight.”

The Commandant disclosed that the Corps has gathered reliable intelligence confirming widespread child labour in mining hotspots such as Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Wase. In these areas, minors are regularly found handling crude tools, carrying mineral loads, and working without any safety gear or supervision.

Musa warned that these activities not only endanger the physical and psychological well-being of the children but also rob them of their right to education and a decent future. He emphasized that parents found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

“No parent should feign ignorance. Any adult aiding or profiting from this wickedness will be arrested, prosecuted, and publicly named,” he declared.

To intensify its crackdown, the NSCDC is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, child welfare agencies, and civil society groups to identify illegal sites, rescue affected children, and dismantle the networks that perpetuate child exploitation.

The Commandant also called on community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious figures to speak out and support efforts to rehabilitate affected children.

“Our communities must be places of protection, not exploitation. We must revive values that safeguard our children and give them a chance at life,” he said.

He further urged the Plateau State Government to prioritize investment in education, skills training, and welfare initiatives to address the root causes of child labour, particularly poverty and lack of access to schooling.

Commandant Musa concluded by reaffirming the NSCDC’s commitment to child protection and law enforcement.

“This is more than an institutional effort—it is a moral responsibility. Every child rescued from a mine and returned to school is a triumph for humanity,” he stated.

The renewed campaign comes at a time when national and international observers have raised serious concerns over the exploitation of children in artisanal and small-scale mining operations in Nigeria.