The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), through its Mining Marshals, has sealed seven suspected illegal mineral buying and processing centres in Kontagora, Niger State, as part of a crackdown on illegal mining activities and violations of the nation’s mining laws.
The enforcement operation, which also led to the arrest of four suspects, was carried out on June 12, 2026, following credible intelligence that some of the facilities were operating without the required approvals and allegedly purchasing strategic minerals from unverified sources.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and dismantle illegal mineral trading networks.
According to the statement, the affected facilities include 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals & Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited, and another mineral buying facility operating in the area.
Preliminary investigations revealed that representatives of some of the companies admitted purchasing Monazite from suppliers who only presented state or local government revenue receipts without producing statutory documents required under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.
The required documents include valid mining leases, Small-Scale Mining Leases (SSML), Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals (LPPM), Mineral Buying Centre Licences, and other regulatory approvals.
Investigators also found that officials of AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited and 17 Mines & Minerals Limited admitted buying minerals without verifying whether their suppliers had the legal authority to mine, possess or sell the minerals.
The statement further noted that investigators were unable to obtain documentary evidence showing that some of the affected firms possessed valid Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals or Mineral Buying Centre Licences authorising them to procure minerals from third parties.
However, it recommended further verification of permits and approvals claimed by some of the companies with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant regulatory agencies.
According to the report, investigators established prima facie evidence of regulatory non-compliance and reasonable suspicion that some of the minerals processed at the facilities may have originated from illegal mining operations.
The investigation recommended comprehensive verification of all licences, further probe of identified suppliers, legal review of the findings, prosecution where criminal conduct is established, and forfeiture of all minerals recovered during the operation to the Federal Government in line with existing laws.
The statement added that preliminary valuation of the seized minerals, including Monazite, Iron Ore and Zircon, indicated they were worth several millions of naira.
Reaffirming the agency’s resolve, Onoja said the Mining Marshals would sustain the crackdown on illegal operators across the country.
“The crackdown forms part of our ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector, dismantle illegal mineral trading networks and ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s mining laws,” he said.
He added: “Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal miners won’t exist.”
