Pix: ACC John Attah Onoja, Head, NSCDC Mining Marshals

By Isiaka Mustapha, Editor-in-Chief, People’s Security Monitor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, urging the National Assembly to disregard what they described as false, misleading and politically motivated allegations aimed at discrediting the specialised unit.
The petition followed accusations made by the member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga, who reportedly raised concerns over the operations of the Mining Marshals and called for scrutiny of the unit’s activities.
In their petition to the Speaker, the operatives maintained that the allegations were not only unfounded but formed part of a broader campaign of calumny allegedly orchestrated by individuals and groups whose interests have been adversely affected by the crackdown on illegal mining across the country.
The Mining Marshals argued that since their inauguration by the Federal Government to combat illegal mining, mineral theft and revenue leakages in the solid minerals sector, the unit has become a target of sustained attacks from illegal mining syndicates, mineral smugglers and their collaborators who have suffered significant operational setbacks as a result of the unit’s enforcement activities.
According to the petitioners, the recent allegations should be viewed against the backdrop of several previous attempts to undermine the credibility of the Mining Marshals through media campaigns, petitions and other forms of public attacks allegedly sponsored by individuals seeking to weaken enforcement actions in the mining sector.
The operatives noted that the Mining Marshals were established as a strategic intervention to support the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in tackling illegal mining activities that have deprived the nation of substantial revenues and contributed to environmental degradation, insecurity and economic sabotage in several mining communities.
They contended that their operations have resulted in the arrest of hundreds of suspected illegal miners, the dismantling of numerous illegal mining sites and increased compliance with mining regulations, thereby enhancing government efforts to sanitise the sector.
The petition further stated that the unit has remained committed to professionalism, transparency and adherence to the rule of law in carrying out its mandate, insisting that any genuine concerns regarding its operations should be addressed through established institutional channels rather than through what it described as politically charged accusations.
The Mining Marshals expressed concern that repeated attempts to tarnish their image could undermine ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and embolden criminal networks operating within the solid minerals sector.
They therefore appealed to the National Assembly to critically examine the allegations and avoid actions that could jeopardise the progress recorded in the fight against illegal mining.
The petitioners maintained that the accusations lacked credible evidence and were designed to create public distrust in a unit that has played a significant role in protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and supporting government reforms in the mining industry.
Industry observers note that the controversy comes amid intensified enforcement actions against illegal mining operations across several states, leading to increased pressure on criminal networks that have long benefited from weak regulation and inadequate enforcement.
Over the past two years, the Mining Marshals have emerged as one of the Federal Government’s principal enforcement mechanisms in the solid minerals sector. Their operations have led to numerous arrests, prosecutions and the closure of illegal mining locations in different parts of the country.
The operatives urged the Speaker and members of the National Assembly to support ongoing reforms aimed at sanitising the mining sector, stressing that efforts to discredit the unit should be carefully scrutinised to ensure that vested interests do not derail the government’s campaign against illegal mining and mineral theft.
They reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and pledged to continue working within the confines of the law to support national economic development and security.