Mining Marshals Partner Kogi Traditional Council To Combat Illegal Mining

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have partnered with the Ankpa Traditional Council in Kogi State to strengthen efforts to combat illegal mining and promote responsible exploitation of the area’s mineral resources.

The partnership was sealed during a courtesy visit by the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, to the palace of the Ejeh of Ankpa and Chairman of the Ankpa Traditional Council, Alhaji Abubakar Yakubu Ahmed.

Speaking during the visit, Attah urged residents and host communities to support the Federal Government’s campaign against illegal mining by engaging only with duly licensed mining companies and reporting unlawful activities to the relevant authorities.

He conveyed the goodwill of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to sanitising the mining sector.

Attah also encouraged communities to report licensed operators that fail to comply with their Community Development Agreements (CDAs), assuring them that such complaints would receive prompt attention.

According to him, Ankpa’s abundant coal deposits and other mineral resources should drive economic growth and community development rather than contribute to environmental degradation, insecurity and avoidable loss of lives.

“The mineral resources with which Ankpa has been blessed should not become a curse to the people. Following our engagement with the traditional council, anyone who continues to engage in illegal mining will be sanctioned in accordance with the law,” he said.

The Mining Marshals commander expressed concern over the increasing number of fatalities linked to unregulated mining activities, stressing that the corps would intensify enforcement of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act to eliminate unsafe mining practices.

He said collaboration with traditional institutions remained critical to protecting mining communities and ensuring that mineral resources were exploited in line with the law.

Responding, the Ejeh of Ankpa commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC leadership for their intervention in tackling illegal mining in the area.

The traditional ruler pledged the full support of the Ankpa Traditional Council for the Mining Marshals’ operations, saying the council would work closely with security agencies to ensure mining activities were conducted in accordance with extant laws.

He noted that a properly regulated mining sector would create employment opportunities for young people while protecting lives, communities and the environment.

The monarch also declared zero tolerance for illegal mining, assuring the Federal Government of the traditional institution’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at eliminating unlawful mining activities in Ankpa.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration to curb illegal mining, safeguard host communities and ensure that the area’s mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Kogi State and the country.