UN, NSCDC Move to Disrupt Illegal Mining, Terrorism Funding in Nigeria
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has called for stronger collaboration with Nigeria’s Mining Marshals to tackle the growing connection between illegal mining, organised crime and terrorism financing in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
The call was made during a strategic visit by a UNODC delegation to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals in Abuja, where the UN body commended the unit’s efforts in arresting and prosecuting illegal mining operators.
The meeting also focused on the proposed CONNECT Initiative, which seeks to strengthen cooperation among governments and law enforcement agencies to disrupt the financial and operational links between criminal networks and terrorist organisations. Nigeria is among the countries invited to participate in the initiative, scheduled for launch in November 2026.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACF John Attah, called for the unit’s formal inclusion in the initiative, arguing that tackling illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources is increasingly important to national security. He also sought expanded training in terrorism prevention, intelligence gathering and regional security cooperation to strengthen the fight against illegal mining syndicates.
The UNODC delegation described the Mining Marshals as a notable model within Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly for combining enforcement with intelligence gathering, investigation, prosecution and community engagement. Both sides pledged to deepen cooperation to disrupt the resource crime and terrorism nexus threatening Nigeria and the wider region.
