NSCDC MINING MARSHAL MARKS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, RECEIVES ACCOLADES FOR COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING

NSCDC MINING MARSHAL MARKS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, RECEIVES ACCOLADES FOR COMBATING ILLEGAL MINING

By Gambo Jagindi
March 22, 2025

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshal has marked its one-year anniversary, receiving praise from the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Oladele Henry Alake, for its outstanding efforts in combating illegal mining activities.

Launched on March 21, 2024, the NSCDC Mining Marshal is a specialized unit established to focus on protecting legitimate mining sites, ensuring sustainability of the mining sector, and collaborating with relevant agencies to achieve these objectives.

In a statement, Minister Alake commended the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for his tactical approach to tackling sabotage in the mining sector. He particularly praised the appointment of a diligent Mining Marshal Commander, ACC John Onoja, who has repeatedly rejected lucrative bribes from illegal miners.

“The Mining Marshal Commander and his men have continued to portray and project the image of the NSCDC in good manner with their refusal to compromise their integrity, which has subsequently safeguarded the mining industry and saved billions of dollars in potential revenue losses for the country,” Alake disclosed.

As the NSCDC Mining Marshal marks its one-year anniversary, it has unveiled its 2025 strategic operational plan, which includes strengthening collaboration with the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office to ensure effective enforcement and prosecution of offenders. The plan also aims to improve regulatory compliance, intensify the fight against illegal mining, and foster sustainable development within the mining sector.

The NSCDC Mining Marshal has made significant strides in combating illegal mining activities, with over 300 suspects arrested and 200 mining sites recovered. The Corps has also intensified its fight against illegal activities, with plans to police over 1,000 detected illegal sites.

As the NSCDC Mining Marshal continues to work tirelessly to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources, it has received accolades from stakeholders, including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, for its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economy.