Pix; ACC John Onoja Attah, Commander, Mining Marshals

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

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly operating an unauthorised mining site in Maiya’aki Village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, in a development that highlights the growing collaboration between the Niger State Government and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals in the fight against illegal mining.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the NSCDC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The arrests followed an enforcement operation ordered by the Niger State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Muhammad Danjuma, after an inspection of the mining site revealed that the operators could not produce valid licences or permits authorising their activities.

The operation was initiated after the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida III, received reports of suspected illegal mining activities involving foreign nationals in the community. The monarch subsequently directed the District Head of Abugi, Mohammed Mustapha (Chiroma Lapai), and his entourage to verify the identities of the operators and determine whether they possessed the necessary approvals to conduct mining activities.

Preliminary findings reportedly indicated that the mining operation was unknown to the state government, prompting the commissioner to visit the site for a detailed assessment.

During the inspection, the Chinese nationals allegedly failed to produce valid mining licences and other statutory approvals required under Nigeria’s mining laws. Consequently, four suspects were arrested, while mining equipment and other property found at the site were secured pending further investigation.

The latest arrests form part of a broader campaign against illegal mining being driven by the Niger State Government in collaboration with the NSCDC Mining Marshals, a specialised enforcement unit established to combat illegal mining, protect legitimate operators and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The Mining Marshals have become a key component of the Federal Government’s strategy to sanitise the solid minerals sector through intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring, investigation and enforcement operations.

In recent months, Niger State has intensified its enforcement activities against illegal mining. In June, authorities, working with the NSCDC Mining Marshals, sealed six suspected illegal mineral processing and buying centres in Kontagora Local Government Area and arrested several suspects for alleged violations of mining regulations.

The state government had earlier warned illegal miners, companies and other operators to cease unauthorised activities or face arrest and prosecution. Similar operations also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects in Minna and two Chinese nationals in Katcha Local Government Area earlier this year.

The renewed crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the security and economic implications of illegal mining across Nigeria. According to the NSCDC Mining Marshals, illegal mining has evolved beyond an economic crime and now constitutes a significant national security threat, with links to organised criminal networks and illicit financial activities.

Federal authorities have repeatedly commended the NSCDC Mining Marshals for their efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations across the country. The Federal Government has also strengthened the operational capacity of the unit through additional logistics and equipment, reaffirming its commitment to combating illegal mining and protecting Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.

The arrest of the four Chinese nationals in Lapai further highlights the growing role of the NSCDC Mining Marshals in the Federal Government’s campaign against illegal mining. Since their establishment by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Mining Marshals have intensified intelligence-driven operations targeting illegal miners, mineral smugglers and unauthorised foreign operators in several mining communities.

The latest operation bears similarities to an earlier high-profile enforcement action carried out by the Mining Marshals in Nasarawa State. In May 2026, operatives arrested 15 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians for allegedly engaging in illegal lithium mining in Kokona Local Government Area.

The suspects were subsequently paraded and processed through the headquarters of the NSCDC Mining Marshals in Abuja before being arraigned before the Federal High Court on charges relating to unlawful mining activities.

The prosecution was widely regarded as a significant case in the government’s efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector. Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant General John Attah Onoja, also reiterated the government’s position that illegal mining would not be tolerated, regardless of the nationality or status of those involved.

Security and mining industry stakeholders believe the arrest of the four Chinese nationals in Niger State sends another strong signal that the authorities are sustaining pressure on illegal operators.

With the suspects now in NSCDC custody, attention is expected to turn to the outcome of the investigation and whether the case will follow the prosecution pathway adopted in previous illegal mining cases handled by the Mining Marshals.

The operation also reinforces the growing collaboration among state governments, traditional institutions, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC Mining Marshals in protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources from illegal exploitation and economic sabotage.