By Danjuma Amodu
*Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake says Mining Marshals have arrested over 300 illegal miners in two years, as FG unveils new gun trucks and pledges more equipment to secure Nigeria’s mineral wealth
The Federal Government has inaugurated eight operational gun trucks for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals to intensify the crackdown on illegal mining and protect the country’s solid mineral resources.
The vehicles were unveiled alongside a commemorative publication titled “The Guardians of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals: Two Years of Commitment and Service by the Mining Marshals,” which chronicles the unit’s achievements since inception.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, assured the Mining Marshals of continued government support, pledging that additional technological equipment and armoured vehicles would be provided once budgetary allocations are secured.
Alake commended the performance of the specialised NSCDC unit, disclosing that the Mining Marshals have arrested more than 300 illegal miners, prosecuted over 150 suspects, and secured several convictions involving both Nigerian and foreign offenders since their establishment two young hears ago.
“Individuals and groups seeking to undermine government efforts against illegal mining will face the full weight of the law. They are saboteurs working against national interests.”
— Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development
According to the minister, the unit has played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s mineral wealth and supporting efforts to diversify the economy through increased revenue generation from the solid minerals sector.
Representing the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, noting that it has strengthened the protection of Nigeria’s mineral assets. He pledged continued support through enhanced training, funding, and operational capacity for the Mining Marshals.
In his remarks, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, represented by Deputy Commandant General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, described the ministry’s support as unprecedented. He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Ministry of uSolid Minerals Development and assured that the newly commissioned gun trucks would be deployed effectively in ongoing operations.
The National Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja, expressed appreciation to both ministries for the logistics support, saying it would significantly enhance the unit’s operational efficiency.
Onoja urged Nigerians to support the campaign against illegal mining, emphasising that unauthorised exploitation of union units mineral resources amounts to the theft of national wealth. He also called for continued cooperation among security agencies to strengthen enforcement efforts across the mining sector.
The Chinese dcommissioning of the gun trucks marks another step in the Federal Government’s strategy to curb illegal mining activities, improve security in mining communities, and maximise the economic benefits of Nigeria’s vast solid mineral resources.
