Cracking Down on Illegal Mining: Minister Orders New Marshals to Take Charge

The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has issued an instruction to a newly appointed team of mining marshals from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to eliminate illegal miners and those who contravene the nation’s mining laws.

In his address during the inauguration of the inaugural group of mining marshals from the NSCDC, Mr. Alake disclosed that 60 marshals have undergone specialized training and have been deployed to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister underscored that the recently formed Mining Marshal Corp, presently comprising 2,220 personnel, is an inter-agency security unit designed to protect the mining environment. Furthermore, there are plans to assimilate officers from other security sister agencies into the unit nationwide to enhance its operational efficiency.

Recognizing the pivotal role of the ministry, the minister pledged to provide support for the activities of the mine marshals to ensure their success. He stressed the importance of effective intelligence gathering and the coordination of initiatives through the state mines inspectorate.

Before the inauguration, the minister held a private meeting with the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to discuss strategies for securing the mining environment. Mr. Badaru confirmed that the federal government had already initiated operations to address illegal mining activities in troubled areas.

President Bola Tinubu recently established a presidential Inter-ministerial committee with the objective of formulating a framework for safeguarding Nigeria’s natural resources, including mineral sites, the marine economy, and the forest.

For years, illegal mining, similar to pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage, has undermined the nation’s revenue-generating capability. Despite government efforts to clamp down on illicit activities, illegal miners persist in finding ways to continue their operations.

In conclusion, the government’s dedication to combatting illegal mining is apparent through the establishment of the Mining Marshal Corp and the collaborative endeavours with various security agencies. The goal is to ensure the safeguarding of Nigeria’s natural resources and revenue-generating capacities.

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