The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have intensified nationwide enforcement operations against illegal mining activities, warned operators that violations of mining regulations will attract prosecution.
The specialised enforcement unit said its operational teams, particularly in the South-West, are recording significant progress in efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and ensure that mining activities are conducted in accordance with extant laws and regulatory requirements.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja in a release on Monday,said the renewed enforcement drive was aimed at eliminating illegal mining, protecting Nigeria’s mineral assets and strengthening compliance across the sector.
Attah cautioned mining operators against flouting regulatory requirements, stressing that ignorance of the law would not shield offenders from prosecution.
“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,” he said.
He explained that the intensified enforcement was not solely targeted at shutting down illegal mining operations, but was also designed to protect legitimate investors, boost government revenue and restore integrity to a sector that has suffered from persistent regulatory violations and economic sabotage.
According to him, lawful, safe and sustainable mining practices are critical to unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The Mining Marshals were established as a specialised enforcement mechanism to support ongoing reforms in the solid minerals sector and strengthen the fight against illegal mining and unauthorised exploitation of mineral resources across the country.
The latest enforcement campaign is also in line with the broader reform agenda of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which seek to reposition mining as a major pillar of economic diversification and national prosperity.
The ministry has repeatedly emphasised the importance of regulatory compliance, investor protection and the eradication of illegal mining as essential measures for attracting investment, increasing revenue and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s mining industry.
The renewed operations also reflect the strategic direction of the NSCDC under the leadership of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose administration has placed the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure among the key priorities of the Corps.
Under his leadership, the NSCDC has strengthened support for the Mining Marshals, enabling the specialised unit to play a more prominent role in combating illegal resource exploitation, protecting legitimate mining activities and addressing revenue leakages associated with unlawful mining.
The Corps further reiterated its readiness to collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies, state authorities, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are exploited responsibly and in accordance with the law.
It stressed that the protection and sustainable development of the nation’s mineral wealth remained a collective responsibility, particularly as the Federal Government continues to pursue economic diversification beyond dependence on oil.
As enforcement operations gather momentum nationwide, the Mining Marshals have maintained that operators must obtain the necessary approvals, comply with applicable mining laws and conduct their activities responsibly.
The message from the NSCDC Mining Marshals is clear: illegal mining will no longer be tolerated, and compliance with the law is not optional.
