Mining Marshals Intensify Crackdown On Illegal Mining In Nasarawa

The Mining Marshals have intensified enforcement against illegal mining activities in Nasarawa State, conducting a coordinated operation aimed at ensuring compliance with mining regulations and protecting legitimate mineral title holders.

The operation followed complaints of unlawful mineral exploitation and was also aimed at verifying that licensed operators were working within their approved coordinates.

The Mining Marshals said the exercise was part of efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, protect the nation’s mineral resources and promote responsible mining practices.

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The operation involved officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local and community security stakeholders.

The multi-agency approach, according to the Marshals, was designed to improve intelligence sharing and enforcement against illegal mining activities, which have implications for government revenue, environmental sustainability, community stability and investor confidence.

Leading the operation, Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, said the exercise was part of ongoing efforts to institutionalise lawful mining practices and strengthen compliance across mineral-rich communities.

Onoja said the operation was conducted in line with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and derived its authority from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2007, as amended.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Mining Marshals to enforcing mining laws and safeguarding the nation’s mineral resources in line with the policy direction of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR.