The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying the fight against illegal mining activities in Nigeria as security and regulatory stakeholders converged in Abuja to mark the second anniversary of the NSCDC Mining Marshals and unveil new operational equipment.
The event, held at the Headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sauka, also featured the commissioning of eight operational gun trucks by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, in a renewed push to secure the nation’s mineral-rich assets.
Representing the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Maj. Gen. A.M. Jibril (rtd), conveyed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Maj. Gen. Jibril emphasized that the Ministry of Interior would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other security agencies to dismantle illegal mining networks and protect critical national resources from economic sabotage.
He noted that enhanced synergy among security institutions remains key to curbing illegal extraction activities that have long undermined government revenue and environmental sustainability.
In his remarks, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, restated the determination of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to eradicate illegal mining and all forms of resource exploitation that threaten national development.
Alake said the deployment of modern equipment, including the newly commissioned gun trucks, was part of a broader strategy to strengthen enforcement operations and ensure effective surveillance of mining sites across the country.
He stressed that securing Nigeria’s solid minerals is central to the government’s economic diversification agenda, adding that improved regulation of the sector would boost revenue generation, create jobs, and promote sustainable development.
The minister commended the NSCDC Mining Marshals for what he described as two years of dedicated service in protecting mining communities and disrupting illegal mining operations nationwide.
He urged the operatives to remain vigilant and intensify efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly harnessed for national benefit.
The anniversary celebration also served as a platform to highlight the achievements recorded by the Mining Marshals since their establishment, particularly in curbing illegal mining activities and strengthening compliance within the sector.
Officials at the event expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and security agencies would significantly enhance the protection of Nigeria’s extractive industry.
The Federal Government reiterated that the ongoing reforms in the mining sector are aimed at ensuring accountability, boosting investor confidence, and securing long-term economic stability for the country.
About The Author
