In a bid to curb illegal mining activities across Nigeria, Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has instructed a new team of mining marshals sourced from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to crack down on offenders violating the nation’s mining regulations.
The directive came during the inauguration of the inaugural group of mining marshals selected from the NSCDC, aimed at tackling the rampant issue of illegal mining operations.
Dr. Alake emphasized the importance of this initiative, disclosing that 60 marshals underwent specialized training and have been strategically deployed to all 36 states alongside the Federal Capital Territory.
The newly established Mining Marshal Corp, comprising 2,220 personnel, functions as an inter-agency security unit dedicated to safeguarding mining environments. The minister also hinted at plans to incorporate officers from other security agencies into the outfit’s structure nationwide to bolster its effectiveness.
Highlighting the ministry’s pivotal role, Dr. Alake stressed the necessity of effective intelligence gathering, leveraging data from the mines inspectorate, and issuing precise directives to ensure the marshals’ coordinated efforts yield significant results.
Prior to this announcement, Dr. Alake held discussions with the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, focusing on enhancing security in mining regions. Mr. Badaru noted the government’s progress in addressing illegal mining activities, citing ongoing clearance operations in identified trouble spots.
The federal government’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s natural resources received a significant boost with President Bola Tinubu’s establishment of a presidential Inter-ministerial committee tasked with formulating a comprehensive blueprint, particularly focusing on mineral sites, marine economy, and forestry, unveiled on January 17th.
