{
  "id": 4477304,
  "title": "NSCDC defends 13-month closure of Abuja quarry, says site is crime scene",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/nscdc-defends-13-month-closure-of-abuja-quarry-says-site-is-crime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T18:44:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/nscdc-defends-13-month-closure-of-abuja-quarry-says-site-is-crime-scene/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have defended the prolonged closure of the Stone Rockers quarry site in Abuja, marking it as a crime scene in an ongoing criminal prosecution. Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, explaining that the facility remains sealed until the Federal High Court determines the case. The closure, lasting 13 months, came after Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited petitioned President Bola Tinubu and other government officials, claiming the shutdown was unlawful and without a court order. Onoja clarified that the sealing was not an administrative sanction but a necessary step in the criminal case. The defendants, Stone Rockers and one of its directors, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, are currently standing trial in Charge No. FHC/ABM/VR/338/2026 over illegal mining allegations within a mineral title area belonging to Lord’s Career Ventures Nigeria Limited. NSCDC investigators arrested the defendants at specific coordinates, which were confirmed by the Mining Cadastre Office to be within the complainant’s licensed mining area. The case also includes correspondence allegedly written by a member of the defense team, which contained admissions relevant to the allegations. NSCDC emphasized that the defendants were attempting to seek administrative intervention while criminal and civil proceedings were ongoing, and warned against actions that could undermine these cases. The agency also dismissed claims that financial inducements influenced the enforcement operation, stating that Lord’s Career Ventures had not provided financial support during the shutdown.",
  "summary": "The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals have defended the continued closure of the Stone Rockers quarry site in Abuja, insisting the facility remains a crime scene in an ongoing criminal prosecution and cannot reopen until the Federal High Court determines the case. The Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "NSCDC defends 13-month closure of Abuja quarry as crime scene.",
    "Stone Rockers Nigeria Limited and director Kolawole Olaiya on trial for illegal mining.",
    "NSCDC warns against actions undermining ongoing criminal and civil proceedings."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "NSCDC defends 13-month closure of Abuja quarry, says site is crime scene",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/nscdc-defends-13-month-closure-of-abuja-quarry-says-site-is-crime-4479889",
        "published": "2026-08-30T19:00:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}