FG vows crackdown after illegal miners kill police officer

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria has vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the killing of a police officer during an operation against illegal mining in Niger State, while also promising to strengthen the firepower of mining marshals combating the menace.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, reacting to the incident, assured that additional weapons and operational equipment would be deployed to boost the capacity of the mining marshals. He said security and intelligence agencies had been placed on red alert to track down and prosecute those involved.

“The illegal miners responsible for the murder of the gallant officer in active service will be made to face the full wrath of the law. Their arrest and prosecution will send the right signal that this administration maintains zero tolerance for all forms of illegal mining and will do everything possible to defend its agents from murder,” Alake stated.

The minister noted that the mining marshals—a special enforcement unit established from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)—were created to enforce compliance with mining laws and curb illegal activities in the sector. He stressed that the killing of the officer and the burning of the agency’s vehicle would not deter the government from sanitising the mining industry to protect legitimate operators and host communities.

Alake added that strong investor interest in Nigeria’s mining sector at the ongoing Mining Indaba in Cape Town underscores the need to sustain confidence and decisively confront violent actors undermining the industry.

Confirming the incident, Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Aniviye, said one police officer was killed and an operational vehicle set ablaze during an attack by suspected illegal miners at Zuzungi in Kataeregi, Katcha Local Government Area.

Deputy Superintendent of Corps Rabiu Muti disclosed that the attack occurred around 12:30 a.m. on February 11, while a joint patrol team was attempting to intercept individuals allegedly smuggling illegally extracted minerals from the area.

The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to intensify enforcement efforts and ensure that illegal mining activities are decisively curtailed nationwide.