Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have uncovered and dismantled a significant illegal mining operation in Uke Community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence and a formal petition from a licensed mining firm, A.A. Kurna Global Mines Ltd. The raid, carried out in the first days of March 2026, resulted in the arrest of 15 suspects accused of engaging in unlawful extraction activities on a legally held mining concession, officials confirmed amid ongoing investigations.
The enforcement action, according to sources close to the operation, was prompted after A.A. Kurna Global Mines Ltd submitted documentary evidence to the NSCDC alleging pervasive illegal mining on its licensed site. Acting on this information, the Mining Marshals, a specialised unit within the NSCDC tasked with protecting Nigeria’s mineral assets, executed a targeted raid on the site in Uke Community, securing the location and detaining multiple individuals suspected of unlawful mineral extraction and support roles.
Preliminary investigations by the NSCDC indicated that out of the 15 suspects arrested, 11 were directly involved in the mining activities, while the remainder provided logistical support, including transportation of extracted materials and construction services at the site. Investigators are also verifying whether heavy machinery on site was being used without proper licensing or in contravention of regulatory standards. Authorities emphasised that such activities undermine the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act and deprive the government and legitimate investors of revenue due under the law.
Notably, four of those apprehended are foreign nationals. Their identities, nationalities and immigration statuses are now being reviewed by relevant federal agencies as part of the legal process. This verification will help determine whether they were lawfully present in Nigeria and if they held valid permits or authorisation to engage in mining or related business activities. The outcome of these checks is expected to influence the charges that are ultimately filed against them.
The NSCDC has reiterated its position that all mining activities in Nigeria must adhere strictly to established legal and regulatory frameworks. The Mining Marshals’ commander, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, stressed that the protection of licensed mineral titles is paramount and that legitimate operators should have uninterrupted access to their concessions without interference from illegal miners or opportunistic actors. He emphasised that enforcing these standards is critical to safeguarding national economic interests.
Enforcement in Nasarawa State comes against the backdrop of a broader national crackdown on illegal mining. Since their establishment in 2024, the NSCDC Mining Marshals have played an expanding role in identifying and shutting down unauthorised mining sites across multiple states. Industry reporting shows that the Corps has been involved in hundreds of arrests and the recovery of numerous illegal mining locations, illustrating the scale of the challenge facing Nigeria’s mineral sector.
The operation in Uke Community has drawn mixed reactions from host communities. Local leaders welcomed the crackdown, arguing that illegal mining had been encroaching on farmlands, causing environmental degradation, and disrupting local livelihoods. Residents cited concerns over deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of water sources as consequences of unregulated extraction, and expressed support for decisive action to rein in rogue operators and ensure compliance with legal standards. Community representatives also expressed hope that the enforcement action would protect community interests and restore confidence among legitimate investors.
However, some voices within Nasarawa’s mining communities have raised concerns about the broader enforcement approach. Previous tensions between NSCDC mining marshals and local residents in other parts of Nasarawa had surfaced in mid-2025, when community leaders called for the removal of mining marshal personnel, accusing them of harassment and insufficiently addressing illegal mining while also limiting community access to farmland. Those disputes highlighted complex relationships between enforcement agencies, local livelihoods, and mining operations in mineral-rich zones.
NSCDC officials have responded to such criticism by underscoring that their mandate is to uphold the rule of law and prevent economic crimes in the mining sector, which, if unchecked, could lead to significant revenue losses and reputational damage to Nigeria’s investment climate. The Corps has emphasised the need for clear licensing, transparent regulatory oversight and collaboration with host communities to ensure that mining activities benefit local populations without violating environmental and labour standards.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has also been pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening oversight and formalising artisanal and small-scale mining operations, partly to reduce incentives for illegal extraction. Recent government discussions with international partners have focused on technology transfer, capacity building for miners and regulators, and frameworks to attract investment while maintaining strong compliance regimes.
Authorities say that the 15 suspects apprehended in Uke Community will face prosecution for violations of mining laws, criminal conspiracy, and any associated immigration breaches stemming from unverified foreign involvement. Legal proceedings are expected to move forward once investigations are complete, with the potential for forfeiture of illegally mined minerals and sanctions under Nigeria’s statutory framework.
Stone Reporters note that this operation signifies ongoing pressure on illegal mining networks and reflects an increasingly assertive posture by Nigerian regulatory and security agencies to secure the nation’s vast mineral resources. As enforcement continues, the government and communities alike are poised to confront the intertwined challenges of compliance, environmental protection, and equitable economic participation in a sector critical to national development.
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