The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced major gains in its fight against illegal mining, revealing that its Mining Marshals have arrested 671 suspected illegal miners, prosecuted hundreds and secured convictions as part of efforts to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, disclosed the figures on Monday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ workshop on extractive industries governance organised by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering.
Representing the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Onoja said the Mining Marshals, established by the Federal Government in 2024, have dismantled illegal mining operations across the country, closed unlawful mining sites, confiscated equipment used for illegal activities and restored affected locations to licensed operators.
He said the unit’s achievements were driven by the professionalism of its officers, cooperation among security agencies and continued support from the Federal Government. According to him, the enforcement campaign has improved compliance with mining regulations while contributing to increased revenue from Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Citing figures from the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Onoja said revenue generated from the sector increased by 337 per cent between 2023 and 2026, rising from about ₦6 billion in 2023 to more than ₦70 billion by June 2026. He attributed the growth to ongoing reforms, improved regulation and increased investment in mining.
The Mining Marshals commander praised the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for leading reforms in the sector, describing the changes as a major turning point for Nigeria’s mining industry. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigerian Armed Forces for their operational support.
Onoja further commended NSCDC Commandant-General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, saying his leadership and strategic direction have strengthened the Mining Marshals into a more effective enforcement unit against illegal mining activities nationwide.
At the workshop, President of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers, Hamza Muhammad, called on the Federal Government to prioritise local processing of minerals before export. He argued that value addition would create jobs, encourage industrial development and allow Nigeria to gain more economic benefits from its mineral wealth.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represented by Fatima Usman-Katsina, also pledged continued cooperation with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development through a joint technical working group aimed at improving accountability, mineral tracking and coordination across the mining sector.
Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the workshop was designed to develop practical solutions to illegal mining, insecurity and illicit financial activities linked to the sector.
Despite the progress recorded, Onoja identified challenges including inadequate logistics, limited manpower and equipment, delays in the judicial process, interference from powerful interests and weak cooperation from some host communities.
He called for increased funding, wider use of surveillance technology, the creation of a national mining intelligence situation room and the appointment of specialised Federal High Court judges to speed up prosecution of illegal mining cases.
Onoja said addressing these challenges would strengthen enforcement, improve investor confidence and prevent criminal groups from exploiting Nigeria’s mineral resources. He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting the extractive sector in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
