NSCDC commander vows to sustain crackdown on illegal miners

The Commander of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps' Mining Marshals, John Onoja, pledged to continue efforts to dismantle illegal mining cartels and disrupt illicit financial flows tied to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. Speaking in Abuja, Onoja emphasized that the mining marshals would remain resolute in enforcing mining laws and restoring security to the sector, which has become increasingly linked to criminal activities.

He stated that illegal mining is not solely an economic or environmental issue, as the illicit profits can fund criminal and terrorist organizations. "It is not necessarily about picking up weapons and fighting bandits or kidnappers. We must ask: How do the people in those forests feed? How do they get money?" Onoja explained that shutting down the financial channels supporting these groups would weaken their ability to operate and lessen the appeal of criminality.

He highlighted that the Mining Marshals have implemented intelligence-driven operations, including the identification, arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders to ensure justice is served. Despite challenges such as manpower and logistics, the command aims to maintain a presence in mining communities as a deterrent. Onoja also called on the media to support the anti-illegal mining campaign through accurate, responsible, and sustained reporting.

He stressed that a sanitized mining sector is achievable through collaboration, with the media playing a crucial role. The Mining Marshals were established on March 21, 2024, as a specialized NSCDC operation to combat illegal mining and safeguard Nigeria's vital mineral resources.