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

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

The Commander of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Assistant Commandant Attah John Onoja, has called for a strategic approach to resource nationalism, responsible mineral exploitation and stronger security of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources to drive economic diversification and national development.Onoja made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference in Abuja, themed, “Effective Harnessing and Utilization of Solid Minerals as Panacea for Nation Building in Nigeria.”He said Nigeria’s vast mineral deposits constitute a strategic national asset capable of strengthening economic sovereignty, creating jobs, stimulating industrialisation and reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil.According to him, despite the abundance of commercially viable minerals across the country, the sector continues to contend with illegal mining, regulatory violations, revenue leakages, inadequate data and limited value addition.Onoja warned that illegal mining has moved beyond an economic and environmental challenge to become a national security concern, noting that criminal exploitation of mineral resources could facilitate the financing of banditry, terrorism and money laundering while depriving government of substantial revenue.He said protecting strategic national assets from criminal networks must remain a priority, while legitimate operators and host communities should be adequately supported to participate in and benefit from sustainable mining activities.Drawing from the operational activities of the Mining Marshals, Onoja said the specialised unit had restored more than 100 mining sites to their legitimate owners and recorded about 700 arrests in connection with illegal mining, with several cases currently before the Federal High Court.He explained that the Mining Marshals were established as a specialised security intervention to complement Federal Government efforts to sanitise the mining sector, protect legitimate mining titles and investments, secure mining communities and create a safer environment for responsible investors.The Commander identified the formalisation of artisanal mining, improved transparency in mineral data, local processing and value addition, as well as enforceable community development agreements, as critical measures for building a sustainable and inclusive mining industry.Onoja advocated what he termed “Strategic Resource Nationalism”, stressing that national interest must remain central to the management and utilisation of Nigeria’s strategic mineral resources.He said minerals should not be viewed merely as commodities for export, but as critical resources that can support industrialisation, technological development, employment generation and long term national prosperity.The Mining Marshals Commander also noted that the geographical distribution of mineral resources across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones provides an opportunity to strengthen local economies, promote inclusive development and reduce dependence on crude oil and federal allocations.He commended the strategic leadership of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, saying the Corps under his leadership had continued to strengthen its operational capacity, professionalism and role in protecting critical national assets.Onoja said the establishment and sustained operations of specialised interventions such as the Mining Marshals demonstrated the Corps’ commitment to confronting emerging security threats within the extractive sector.Representing the Chairman of the occasion, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, retired, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, retired, commended Onoja for his commitment to national service and acknowledged the contribution of the Mining Marshals to the fight against illegal mining.Bankole also recognised the unit’s efforts in protecting legitimate mining interests, safeguarding government revenue and supporting initiatives aimed at restoring confidence in Nigeria’s mining sector.Onoja called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, the legislature, judiciary, traditional institutions, host communities and legitimate investors to improve the protection and responsible utilisation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.He stressed that the real value of Nigeria’s mineral wealth lies not simply in what is buried beneath the soil, but in its capacity to generate employment, support industries, improve livelihoods and contribute substantially to national development.He said the Mining Marshals would remain focused on protecting Nigeria’s mineral wealth, confronting illegal exploitation, safeguarding legitimate interests and supporting efforts to build a secure and productive mining sector capable of contributing significantly to the nation’s economic future.If you want, I can also make this more forceful and front page style for People’s Security Monitor, with a much stronger headline centred on Onoja, Mining Marshals and CG Audi.