The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have commended the Nigerian Army for its support in the fight against illegal mining following the arrest of 18 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
The suspects were apprehended at a mining site in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area of the state, by troops of the 102 Guard Battalion during a routine operation.
The soldiers reportedly discovered alleged unauthorised mining activities at the site and subsequently arrested the suspects.
Following the operation, the Army handed over the suspects and items recovered from the mining site to the NSCDC Mining Marshals headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, in accordance with established inter-agency procedures.
The operation comes as security and regulatory agencies intensify efforts to tackle illegal mining, which has been linked to revenue losses for the government, environmental damage and the unlawful exploitation of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Reacting to the development, the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, described the Army’s intervention as exemplary, unprecedented and patriotic.
Attah said the operation demonstrated the military’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and supporting efforts to reform the mining sector.
He said, “The Nigerian Army has once again distinguished itself through professionalism, discipline and patriotism. The swift arrest of the suspects and their prompt handover to the Mining Marshals reflect a commendable commitment to the rule of law and the protection of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.”
Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals reportedly revealed that the suspects were allegedly operating without the required licences, permits or links to any registered mining company.
Investigators also said the suspects were unable to produce evidence of valid mineral titles or authorisation from the relevant regulatory agencies.
Several items allegedly used in the illegal mining activities were recovered from the site. They included motorcycles, pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices and cash totalling N2,468,750.
Attah reaffirmed the Mining Marshals’ determination to ensure that those involved in illegal mining activities are prosecuted.
He added that the Corps, under the leadership of its Commandant-General, Prof Ahmed Audi, would continue to use intelligence-led enforcement strategies against what he described as economic saboteurs operating within the mining industry.
The commander also assured stakeholders in the solid minerals sector that the Mining Marshals would continue to enforce the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and protect the country’s mineral resources from unlawful exploitation.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ben of the Open Dialogue Initiative commended the Nigerian Army for what he described as a professional operation, saying the intervention had further strengthened efforts to tackle illegal mining across the country.
The Mining Marshals said investigations into the case had been completed and that the suspects were being processed for prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.