The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals have intensified enforcement operations across the country as part of renewed efforts to tackle illegal mining and strengthen compliance with regulations governing Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The specialised enforcement unit said its teams, particularly in the South-West, had recorded significant progress in ensuring that mining operations comply with existing laws and regulatory requirements.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, warned mining operators against violating regulations, stressing that offenders would face prosecution regardless of whether they claimed ignorance of the law.
“Ignorance of the law will never be an excuse. Every operator must ensure that mining activities are conducted within the ambit of the law. Those who choose to operate outside the regulatory framework will face the full weight of legal consequences,” Onoja said.
He said the intensified enforcement was aimed not only at curbing illegal mining but also at protecting legitimate investors, improving government revenue and restoring integrity to a sector affected by regulatory violations and economic sabotage.
According to him, lawful, safe and sustainable mining practices remain essential to unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The Mining Marshals were established as a specialised enforcement mechanism of the NSCDC to support reforms in the solid minerals sector and combat illegal mining activities across the country.
The latest operations are also in line with the reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which seeks to position the mining industry as a major driver of economic diversification and national development.
The ministry has consistently stressed the need for regulatory compliance, investor protection and the elimination of illegal mining to improve confidence in Nigeria’s mining sector.
The renewed enforcement drive also reflects the leadership of the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose administration has prioritised the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.
Under Audi’s leadership, the Corps has strengthened institutional support for the Mining Marshals, positioning the unit as a key component of government efforts to tackle illegal resource exploitation and revenue leakages.
The NSCDC said it would continue to collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are exploited legally and sustainably for the benefit of the economy and future generations.
The Corps warned that enforcement operations would continue nationwide, reiterating that compliance with mining regulations was mandatory for all operators.
