The Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Special Mining Marshals Corps, ACC John Onoja Attah, has been named Nigeria’s Most Outstanding Security Officer for 2025. He received the honour during the 2025 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organised by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, where he was recognised for his exceptional contribution to the fight against illegal mining across the country.

Onoja was presented with the award of Most Proactive Crime Fighter of the Year 2025, a category dedicated to security professionals who have demonstrated initiative, operational efficiency and measurable impact in crime prevention. His leadership of the Special Mining Marshals Corps has been credited with disrupting major illegal mining networks and strengthening security in mineral producing areas.

Under his command, the Special Mining Marshals Corps intensified intelligence-driven operations which resulted in several arrests, the shutting down of illegal mining camps and the recovery of substantial quantities of illegally mined minerals. Security analysts note that these interventions have helped reduce the massive revenue losses previously recorded in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

Speaking after receiving the award, Onoja described the recognition as a product of teamwork and collective commitment. He stressed that the accomplishments recorded by the Mining Marshals were achieved through collaboration among officers and men who are dedicated to protecting Nigeria’s mineral assets.

Onoja dedicated the award to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, acknowledging his strategic support, guidance and sustained reforms which have strengthened the Corps’ capacity to tackle illegal mining and other economic crimes nationwide.

The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria’s annual award ceremony brought together key security stakeholders, journalists and policymakers, and highlighted the urgent need to curb criminal activities undermining Nigeria’s natural resources. Organisers commended Onoja for setting a new standard in proactive crime fighting within the solid minerals sector.

With this recognition, ACC John Onoja joins a select group of security professionals whose efforts have significantly enhanced national security and protected critical economic assets. His emergence as Nigeria’s Most Outstanding Security Officer for 2025 underscores the growing importance of relentless, coordinated action against illegal mining and other organised crimes.