Mining marshals arrest 24, charge 7 to court in three months

As the war against illegal mining thickens, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has revealed that the fight against illegal mining operations received a significant boost between August and October, with the Mining Marshals arresting 24 suspects during operations in Kogi, Nasarawa, and Ondo States.

Among the arrested are Seven individuals—including five Nigerians and two Chinese nationals who have been charged to court and are being prosecuted for illegal mining and related offences. Investigations are being ramped up on others as a prelude to their prosecution.

The mining marshals conceptualised earlier in the year by Dele Alake, the minister of Solid Minerals Development, said the  Mining Marshals, are part of his 7-point agenda aimed at sanitizing the mining sector.

This specially trained squad, comprising 2,570 operatives drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), led by ACC John Onoja Attah has successfully conducted operations against illegal mining activities in Kogi, Kaduna, Ondo, Abuja,  Nasarawa and Abia, amongst others.

In a major follow-up operation carried out in Yagba East LGA, Kogi State, within the last quarter, a mining site was recovered from bandits aiding illegal operations after illegal miners were earlier dislodged. The mining site is presently under the protection of mining marshals to enable unhindered operations by legally authorized miners.

Alake said the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), is committed to enhancing the operations of the Mining Marshals with improved logistical support and technology to effectively combat illegal mining across the country.

Alake urged illegal operators to regularize their activities by applying for licenses through the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO) to avoid imminent enforcement actions by the federal government.