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

The growing controversy over mining enforcement within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has exposed an uncomfortable struggle between the Mining Marshals, led by Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, and some state commandants reportedly unwilling to relinquish their influence over mining operations. What should be a coordinated national security responsibility has become a contest involving operational authority, institutional rivalry and the enormous financial interests surrounding Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The Mining Marshals were established as a specialised enforcement unit to combat illegal mining, protect mineral resources and support the Federal Government’s efforts to sanitise the sector. However, concerns persist that some state commandants continue to deploy personnel to mining fields, supervise mining activities and conduct operations outside the established national operational framework, despite official warnings against such practices.

Pix: (ACC) John Onoja Attah,

The issue goes beyond administrative disagreements. Mining locations containing gold, lithium, tantalite and other commercially valuable minerals attract considerable financial interests. There are allegations that some security personnel are reluctant to surrender their influence over these locations because of the economic opportunities associated with mining activities. Such allegations require independent investigation, particularly where officers may be using their official positions to protect operators, demand financial benefits or exercise unofficial supervision.

The tragedy in Minna, Niger State, has exposed the potentially devastating consequences of poorly coordinated mining enforcement. Following operations around the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas on September 15 and 16, 2026, dozens of suspected illegal miners were arrested. Subsequently, 37 detainees died in NSCDC custody, including 14 minors.

The Federal Government’s investigative committee established that the deaths resulted from environmental asphyxia associated with overcrowding, excessive heat, poor ventilation, dehydration and neglect. Approximately 50 male detainees were confined in a cell measuring about 20 square metres, without adequate ventilation, running water or functioning toilet facilities.

The committee also established that the operation proceeded without an approved operational order, adequate planning or consultation with relevant mining authorities. More importantly, the NSCDC National Headquarters had not been informed before the operation commenced. This raises serious questions about operational discipline, authorisation and the tendency of some state commands to undertake sensitive assignments without proper coordination.

The controversy deepened following conflicting accounts about the involvement of the Mining Marshals. Suspended Niger State Commandant Suberu Siyaka Aniviye reportedly claimed that he visited a mining location and subsequently deployed Mining Marshals personnel. Attah, however, denied that his unit participated in the operation, maintaining that Mining Marshals personnel operate under the authority of the Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, and cannot be independently deployed by state commandants.

The Federal Government suspended officers connected with the incident and constituted an investigative committee chaired by retired DSS Deputy Director-General Jonathan Kure. The committee recommended ₦30 million compensation for each of the 33 authenticated bereaved families and ₦10 million for each of the 41 survivors, alongside prosecution of culpable officers and institutional reforms.

For Attah and the Mining Marshals, tougher days may lie ahead. The struggle is not simply about arresting illegal miners; it involves competing institutional interests, established relationships and the influence associated with controlling valuable mining locations. Resistance from officers unwilling to accept the specialised unit’s authority, administrative bottlenecks and attempts to undermine its operations should not be unexpected.

Attah must therefore embrace a paradigm shift if the Mining Marshals are to achieve maximum results. Enforcement should move beyond routine arrests and raids towards intelligence led operations, technological surveillance, accurate identification of licensed operators and coordinated investigations. Stronger collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Mining Cadastre Office, Nigeria Geological Survey Agency and other security institutions is essential.

The unit must also establish transparent operational procedures, ensure that every deployment is properly authorised and maintain strict accountability for personnel. Arrests must lead to lawful investigations and prosecution, while suspects must be treated humanely. The Minna tragedy is a painful reminder that operational success cannot be measured by the number of arrests or mining sites raided, but by lawful enforcement and the protection of human lives.

Professor Audi must equally demonstrate decisive leadership by enforcing a clear chain of command. State commandants must understand that their positions do not confer unrestricted authority over specialised national assignments. At the same time, the Mining Marshals must not confuse enforcement responsibilities with the statutory regulatory functions of mining authorities. Their credibility will depend on professionalism, transparency and respect for the law.

Ultimately, the battle for mining control must not become a personal contest between officers or competing formations within the NSCDC. It must be about protecting Nigeria’s mineral wealth, recovering lost government revenue, dismantling illegal mining networks and safeguarding lives. The 37 suspected miners who died in Minna must not become forgotten statistics.

For Attah Onoja, the days ahead demand courage, strategic thinking, institutional diplomacy and firmness. He must confront resistance without allowing institutional rivalries to derail the mission. The Mining Marshals need a new enforcement philosophy built on intelligence, technology, interagency cooperation and measurable results.