Pix;: Commandant Ishaku Musa, helmsman of Plateau NSCDC Command

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Plateau State has issued a strong warning to all miners and site operators across the state, declaring that anyone caught employing underage children in mining activities will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian laws.

Speaking at a press briefing in Jos, the Plateau State Commandant of the NSCDC, Ishaku Musa, condemned the increasing use of children in hazardous mining operations, describing it as a disturbing trend that violates both domestic and international laws protecting children’s rights. He said the practice is not only illegal but also morally unacceptable, as it endangers the lives of minors and denies them their fundamental right to education and a safe childhood.

According to him, intelligence reports and field investigations have revealed that some artisanal miners and site operators in areas such as Barkin Ladi, Wase, Bokkos, Riyom, and Mikang Local Government Areas are recruiting children as young as ten years old to work in mining pits. These children are made to dig for minerals, carry heavy loads, process ore materials, and perform other physically demanding tasks without protective equipment or medical attention. Many of them, he said, have abandoned school and now live in unsafe conditions around the mining sites.

Commandant Musa announced that the NSCDC has set up a Special Task Force to monitor and investigate all mining zones across the state. He warned that any mining site found using child labour will be immediately shut down, and those responsible including mine owners, contractors, labour agents, and any other accomplices will face the full wrath of the law. He emphasized that the Plateau State Command is prepared to begin large-scale enforcement operations, with the first phase of arrests and prosecutions expected to begin in August.

He further cautioned community leaders, traditional rulers, and local government officials to refrain from shielding offenders or turning a blind eye to the abuse of children in their areas. Musa stated that any leader who facilitates or ignores the exploitation of minors under their jurisdiction will also be held accountable. He reminded the public that protecting children is a shared responsibility, and no economic excuse justifies exposing them to such danger.

The Commandant expressed concern over the role of some parents who send their children to work in mines for daily income, calling such actions exploitative and unlawful. He reiterated that any parent or guardian who subjects a child to dangerous labour under the guise of poverty will be liable under the Child Rights Act and will face legal consequences.

To ensure a holistic response, the NSCDC has begun working closely with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and several child rights advocacy groups. These collaborations aim to identify victims, provide rehabilitation services, and reintegrate rescued children into schools or safe care environments. Plans are also underway to create temporary shelters and vocational support for affected minors.

Commandant Musa concluded the press briefing with a call to action, urging residents, civil society groups, and the media to report any case of child labour or illegal mining to the nearest NSCDC office or through the command’s emergency communication lines. He assured that all reports will be treated with confidentiality and that whistleblowers will be protected under federal guidelines.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the NSCDC to safeguarding the rights and future of every Nigerian child, stating that the Plateau Command will not relent until child labour is eradicated from all mining activities in the state.