Illegal Mining: Peace Corps Boss, Nneji, Urges Passage of Mines Rangers Bill

The Commandant General of the National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) and Nigeria Mines Ranger Services (NMRS), Dr. Chinedu S. Nneji, has called for greater investment in peace, justice, security and economic opportunities as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peace.

Nneji made the call on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the NUPEC/NMRS Command Headquarters in Abuja, while speaking on this year’s theme: “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”

He said peace should not be viewed merely as the absence of violence or war, but as the presence of justice, respect for human rights, dignity, security, cooperation and hope.

“Peace is not something we should remember only when there is war. Peace is not merely the absence of violence. Peace is the presence of justice, respect for human rights, understanding, cooperation, tolerance, dignity, security and hope.”

According to him, the theme of the 2026 observance underscores the responsibility of individuals, communities, institutions and governments to make peace a daily commitment.

Nneji urged Nigerians to invest in education, youth empowerment, dialogue and opportunities while rejecting hatred, discrimination, violence, injustice and criminality.

The NUPEC/NMRS chief also linked the management of Nigeria’s natural resources to peace and security, noting that competition over land and mineral resources, illegal mining, environmental degradation and unemployment could contribute to tensions in affected communities.

He said the challenges confronting communities from the Niger Delta to the Sahel require coordinated and sustainable solutions involving government institutions, security agencies and local communities.

Nneji argued that illegal mining could undermine community security, damage the environment and deprive government of legitimate revenue.

Against this background, he renewed the call for the establishment of a specialised Nigeria Mines Rangers Service through appropriate legislation.

He noted that the National Assembly had considered the Nigeria Mines Rangers (Establishment) Bill, including Senate Bill 523, which, according to him, had been passed and transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

“We believe that the establishment of an effective, professional and properly regulated Mines Rangers Service, working in collaboration with existing security agencies and relevant government institutions, can strengthen the protection of mining communities and legitimate mining activities.”

He added that such a service could help protect Nigeria’s mineral resources, improve regulatory compliance, combat illegal mining and potentially increase government revenue from lawful mining activities.

Nneji appealed to stakeholders in the legislative and executive arms of government to support measures aimed at strengthening the protection and responsible management of Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the proposed legislation if and when it reaches his desk.

“We therefore call on the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to grant his assent anytime the Bill gets to his table.”

According to Nneji, the proposed legislation, if enacted, would help reduce illegal mining and associated criminal activities while improving government revenue from the country’s mineral resources.

He also commiserated with the federal government over the reported deaths of 37 alleged illegal miners in Niger State.

The Commandant General called for a comprehensive approach to insecurity, stressing that conflicts such as farmer-herder disputes cannot be addressed by a single institution or through one solution.

He advocated sustained dialogue, effective law enforcement, responsible management of land and natural resources, protection of livelihoods, justice and community-based peacebuilding.

Nneji said the struggle for control of areas endowed with natural resources had contributed to conflicts and the emergence of various non-state actors in different parts of the country.

While acknowledging what he described as the federal government’s efforts to improve security, he said more remained to be done.

Nneji urged Nigerians to make peace a daily responsibility and to promote dialogue, justice, unity and hope in their communities.

“Let us invest in peace instead of conflict. Let us invest in dialogue instead of confrontation. Let us invest in education instead of ignorance. Let us invest in opportunities instead of desperation.”

He further urged Nigerians to invest in justice rather than impunity and unity rather than division.

In his remarks, Nneji also expressed support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, urging Nigerians to support the President for a second term to enable him to continue what Nneji described as the work his administration had started.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to renew their commitment to building a country where citizens can live in safety, dignity and hope.

“Peace does not happen by accident. Peace must be deliberately built, protected and sustained.”

He called on Nigerians to embrace the central message of the 2026 International Day of Peace by investing in peace “for everyone, everywhere, every day.”