NSCDC Arrests 671 Suspected Illegal Miners, Arraigns 397
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced that its Mining Marshals have arrested 671 suspected illegal miners across the country as part of the Federal Government’s crackdown on illegal mining activities.
Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ workshop on extractive industries governance in Abuja. He revealed that 397 suspects have already been arraigned before the Federal High Court, with several convictions secured.
According to Onoja, the Mining Marshals have dismantled illegal mining sites, shut down unlawful operations, confiscated mining equipment and restored a number of mining locations to their rightful licence holders. He attributed the successes to professionalism, inter agency collaboration and sustained Federal Government support.
He further stated that stronger enforcement has significantly boosted compliance in the mining sector and increased government revenue. Citing data from the Solid Minerals Development Fund, he said revenue rose from about ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by June 2026, representing a 337 per cent increase.
Despite the achievements, Onoja identified inadequate logistics, shortage of personnel and weapons, judicial delays, interference by vested interests and poor community cooperation as major challenges. He called for increased funding, deployment of surveillance technology, establishment of a national mining intelligence situation room and designation of special Federal High Court judges to accelerate prosecution of illegal mining cases.
Stakeholders at the workshop also advocated stronger collaboration among security agencies, regulators, mining operators and host communities, as well as policies encouraging local processing of minerals to create jobs, enhance industrialisation and maximise the country’s mineral wealth.
