Pix: Niger state Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuuma

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

The North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, Henry Temidayo Bolawale, has accused the suspended Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the state Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Mohammed Qasim Danjuuma, of allegedly conducting unauthorised mining enforcement operations, including arresting miners and confiscating mineral resources.

Bolawale made the allegations while testifying before the nine member Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Mohammed Mohammed, investigating the deaths of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.

He told the commission that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, had directed the withdrawal of the NSCDC Mining Marshals from enforcement operations at mining sites across the country. However, he alleged that the directive had not been complied with in Niger State.

According to the witness, Alake had repeatedly instructed the NSCDC Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to withdraw the Mining Marshals from such operations, insisting that the unit should operate under the supervision and authority of the corps’ national headquarters.

Bolawale explained that shortly after assuming duty in Niger State, he paid courtesy visits to security agencies, including the NSCDC state command, to seek their cooperation in tackling illegal mining and ensuring compliance with mining regulations.

He alleged, however, that the suspended NSCDC commandant and the head of the Mining Marshals in the state failed to cooperate with his office and continued carrying out operations at mining sites without informing the Mining Cadastral Office.

The coordinator also said he visited Danjuuma to seek the state ministry’s support in regulating mining activities and curbing illegal mining.

He accused the commissioner and the Mining Marshals of arresting miners and seizing gold and other mineral resources without properly accounting for the recovered materials to the relevant authorities.

As an example, Bolawale cited the arrest of a Chinese national whom he said possessed a valid mining licence. He alleged that officials operating under the commissioner confiscated minerals extracted by the licence holder, an incident that reportedly attracted the attention of the minister’s office in Abuja.

“I met the commissioner to inform him that the arrest of the Chinese national was illegal, but he refused to listen,” Bolawale told the commission.

He further alleged that the commissioner continued to work with the Mining Marshals despite being aware of the regulatory responsibilities of the Mining Cadastral Office.

The witness identified M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto among the mining locations where he alleged that enforcement operations were conducted without notifying or involving his office.

Describing the situation as disturbing, Bolawale maintained that the Mining Cadastral Office was responsible for regulating mineral titles and related activities within its jurisdiction. He said his office had received several complaints concerning the activities of the NSCDC Mining Marshals at mining sites.

He further told the commission that, under the arrangement he described, the Mining Marshals were expected to conduct operations through the NSCDC national headquarters under the supervision of Assistant Commandant General John Onoja Attah.

The allegations are expected to feature prominently in the commission’s investigation into the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody, as well as the procedures governing mining enforcement operations in Niger State.

The allegations presented before the commission have yet to be established as findings of the inquiry.