By Samson Ike, Abuja<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, has described illegal mining as a growing national security threat, revealing that more than 500 suspects are currently facing prosecution following intensified operations against illegal mining activities across the country.Onoja disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the 8th edition of the NSCDC Lagos Public Relations Clinic, organised by the Lagos State Command in collaboration with Halogen Group. The event, themed \u201cCollaborative Security as a Paradigm for Mining Security,\u201d brought together security experts, academics and private sector stakeholders to examine strategies for protecting Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.The Mining Marshals commander said the specialised unit has recorded remarkable successes since its establishment in March 2024, arresting over 600 suspected illegal miners and recovering more than 100 illegally occupied mining sites, which have since been returned to legitimate investors.According to him, the Mining Marshals initiative was created by the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, safeguard mineral resources and support economic diversification through the solid minerals sector.\u201cSince March 2024, we have made significant arrests, recovered over 100 illegal mining sites and restored them to legitimate operators. Several suspects are undergoing prosecution, while our zero tolerance stance against compromise has encouraged greater compliance with mining regulations and strengthened enforcement across the sector,\u201d Onoja stated.He explained that illegal mining extends beyond economic sabotage, warning that criminal activities around mining locations often fuel broader security challenges, including organised crime and other illicit activities. He therefore stressed the need for a coordinated response involving security agencies, host communities, regulators and private sector operators.Onoja noted that the operational successes of the Mining Marshals are anchored on the NSCDC Commandant General’s policy of collaboration, cooperation and coordination, popularly known as the \u201c3Cs.\u201d He said the philosophy has strengthened intelligence sharing and enhanced operational efficiency in tackling illegal mining networks across the country.The commander identified community engagement, private sector participation and inter agency collaboration as the three key pillars underpinning the achievements of the Mining Marshals. He noted that information supplied by host communities has been instrumental in identifying illegal operators and dismantling criminal mining networks.\u201cThe most effective security architecture is community driven. Many of our greatest operational breakthroughs have come through credible intelligence from local communities. When communities see themselves as partners and beneficiaries of legitimate mining activities, illegal mining loses its support structure,\u201d he said.Highlighting the role of the private sector, Onoja said technology, intelligence gathering capabilities and risk management expertise have become increasingly important in monitoring Nigeria’s vast mining corridors. He commended Halogen Group for supporting efforts aimed at strengthening security within the sector.He further explained that the Mining Marshals maintain close collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Judiciary to ensure effective enforcement and prosecution of offenders. According to him, such partnerships have significantly improved oversight of mining activities and restored confidence among legitimate investors.Despite the progress recorded, Onoja acknowledged that major challenges remain, particularly the vast nature of Nigeria’s mining terrain and the evolving sophistication of illegal mining syndicates. He therefore called for deeper collaboration among stakeholders, including the media, to sustain ongoing gains.Describing journalists as vital partners in the campaign against illegal mining, Onoja said responsible and accurate reporting plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding of the dangers associated with the illicit exploitation of mineral resources. He urged stakeholders to avoid contradictory narratives capable of undermining enforcement efforts.Earlier, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Adedotun Keshinro, said mining security has become a critical component of protecting Nigeria’s economic interests. He noted that illegal mining deprives the government of revenue, discourages investment and creates opportunities for criminal elements to exploit mineral resources.Keshinro observed that although Lagos is not traditionally recognised as a major mining state, its strategic role as Nigeria’s commercial hub places it at the centre of the mining value chain through financing, logistics, equipment supply and export activities. He called for stronger intelligence sharing, technological innovation, capacity building and regulatory compliance among stakeholders.Also speaking, a lecturer at Lagos State University, Prof. Adedeji Oyenuga, advocated greater involvement of host communities in mining security initiatives, arguing that sustainable security can only be achieved when local populations are fully integrated into the protection framework.He further stressed the importance of improving the welfare and motivation of security personnel deployed to mining locations, noting that effective intelligence gathering and operational success depend largely on the commitment of field officers and community support.Executive Director, Operations and Services at Halogen Security, Mr Bosun Sosanya, emphasised the need for a coordinated public, private and community based security framework for the mining sector. He noted that private security operators possess specialised expertise in technology deployment, intelligence gathering and manpower support that can complement government efforts.The stakeholders unanimously agreed that stronger collaboration, enhanced intelligence sharing and active community participation remain indispensable to securing Nigeria’s mineral resources, combating illegal mining and ensuring that the nation’s vast solid mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to economic growth and national development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Samson Ike, Abuja Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, has described illegal mining as a growing national security threat, revealing that…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":29574,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pages"],"yoast_head":"\n