Mining Marshals Boss Seeks Stronger Protection Of Mineral Resources

The Commander of the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Assistant Commandant Attah John Onoja, has called for stronger protection of Nigeria’s mineral resources to curb illegal mining and protect the country’s economic and security interests.

Onoja made the call while delivering a keynote presentation at the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference in Abuja, themed, “Effective Harnessing and Utilization of Solid Minerals as Panacea for Nation Building in Nigeria.”

He said Nigeria’s mineral resources remained an important national asset but had been undermined by illegal mining and other activities outside the regulatory framework.

Onoja noted that Nigeria has more than 44 commercially viable minerals spread across over 500 locations, but said illegal exploitation of the resources had resulted in revenue losses and other security concerns.

He identified illegal mining as a major threat to national development, saying the practice could facilitate criminal activities, including banditry, terrorism and money laundering.

According to him, the continued illegal exploitation of mineral resources undermines efforts to protect national assets and ensure that proceeds from the sector are properly accounted for.

Onoja disclosed that the Mining Marshals had restored more than 100 mining sites to their legitimate owners and arrested about 700 persons in connection with alleged illegal mining activities.

He said several of the cases were already before the Federal High Court.

The commander called for stronger measures to formalise artisanal mining and improve oversight of mining activities, saying effective regulation was necessary to protect mineral resources and address abuses in the sector.

Onoja also advocated what he described as “strategic resource nationalism,” urging stakeholders to place national interests at the centre of the management of the country’s mineral resources.

He called on government institutions, traditional authorities, the judiciary, legislature and communities to support efforts to curb illegal mining and protect the country’s mineral assets.