– Illegal mining is a persistent issue in Nigeria, causing massive revenue loss and environmental degradation.
– The Ministries of Solid Minerals, Interior, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have joined forces to combat illegal mining.
– Nigeria has lost billions of dollars to illegal mining, with the sector’s contribution to GDP dropping significantly over the years.
– The NSCDC’s ‘Mining Marshals’ have made over 200 arrests, with 133 ongoing prosecutions and confiscated minerals.
– The mining marshals face challenges including confrontations, interference, and physical attacks from local mafias protecting illegal mining.
– The success of the collaborative initiative can serve as a model for other sectors plagued by similar issues in Nigeria.