The Federal Government has commissioned eight operational gun trucks for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining and protect the nation’s solid mineral resources.
The vehicles were unveiled alongside a commemorative publication titled The Guardians of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals: Two Years of Commitment and Service by the Mining Marshals, which highlights the unit’s activities and achievements over the past two years.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, assured the Mining Marshals of continued government support, pledging that additional technological equipment and armoured vehicles would be provided as funding becomes available.
Alake commended the performance of the specialised NSCDC unit, revealing that the Mining Marshals have arrested more than 300 illegal miners, prosecuted over 150 suspects and secured several convictions involving both Nigerian and foreign offenders since the unit was established.
According to the minister, the Mining Marshals have played a significant role in protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and supporting the federal government’s drive to diversify the economy through increased revenues from the solid minerals sector.
He warned individuals and groups involved in illegal mining activities that the government would continue to enforce the law against those undermining efforts to safeguard the country’s mineral wealth.
Representing the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, noting that the partnership has strengthened efforts to secure mining assets and communities.
Jibrin pledged continued support for the Mining Marshals through enhanced training, funding and operational capacity.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, represented by Deputy Commandant General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, described the support received from the ministry as unprecedented and reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to sustaining its partnership with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
He assured that the newly commissioned gun trucks would be effectively deployed to support ongoing enforcement operations.
National Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja, expressed appreciation to both ministries for the logistics support, saying the additional equipment would significantly improve operational efficiency.
Onoja urged Nigerians to support efforts to combat illegal mining, stressing that unauthorised exploitation of mineral resources amounts to the theft of national wealth. He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to improve enforcement across the mining sector.
The deployment of the gun trucks forms part of the federal government’s broader strategy to curb illegal mining, improve security in mining communities and maximise the economic benefits of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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