From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, said the inauguration of the mining marshals had led to the arrest of 327 offenders, recovery of 98 mining sites, and restoration of access to legally licensed operators.
Dr. Alake who stated this at the first anniversary of the mining marshals in Abuja, emphasised that the initiative had significantly deterred illegal mining activities, which had previously crippled legitimate businesses and posed security threats.
“The activation of the mining marshals sent shivers down the spine of illegal miners. It is no longer business as usual,” he declared.
According to Dr. Alake, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration has established an inter-ministerial committee to protect the country’s natural resources, leading to the rapid mobilisation of security forces.
“The mining marshals, inaugurated on March 1, 2024, by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, were deployed across Nigeria to enforce mining laws.”
Dr. Alake noted that prior to the mining marshals’ intervention, several licensed mining companies had lost access to their sites due to encroachment by illegal miners, some of whom had occupied those locations for over a decade.
He cited a landmark operation at North South Extractive Industries Limited in Kogi State, where over 3,000 illegal miners were flushed out.
Other sites recovered included Ganan Mining Limited (Kuje, FCT), Jinloys Nigeria Limited (Abia State), Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited (Kogi State)
He stated that to strengthen enforcement, the mining marshals have identified 457 suspected illegal mining sites and improved intelligence gathering.
Dr. Alake stressed that this was first time the government was providing both air and ground coverage for the security of the solid minerals sector.
The minister commended security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, for their role in arresting illegal miners, while acknowledging the judiciary’s swift action in prosecuting offenders.
Dr. Alake also announced the institution of an annual prize for the Best Report on Solid Minerals Development in Nigeria, to be administered by the Diamonds Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).
Earlier on his part, the National Commandant of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commander John Onoja highlighted the role of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development in establishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the mining marshals, ensuring professionalism in their enforcement efforts.