Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has issued a stern warning to mining operators across the country, declaring that ignorance of mining laws and regulations will not shield offenders from prosecution as the agency intensifies its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities. The warning was contained in a statement issued on Monday, September 7, 2026, by the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, following a renewed push by the specialised enforcement unit to sanitise Nigeria's solid minerals sector and curb the persistent exploitation of mineral resources outside the regulatory framework.
Attah, who spoke against the backdrop of intensified enforcement operations particularly in the South-West region, stressed that the Corps would no longer tolerate any violations of mining regulations. He emphasised that all operators must ensure their activities are conducted strictly within the ambit of the law. "Ignorance of the law will never be an excuse," Attah declared. "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."
The commander noted that the enforcement drive is designed not only to tackle illegal mining but also to protect legitimate investors, improve revenue generation, and restore confidence in a sector that has long been plagued by regulatory violations and economic sabotage. He reiterated that compliance with mining laws is essential to ensuring that the country's mineral resources are exploited safely, sustainably, and in a manner that benefits the national economy. Illegal mining has remained a major challenge to the sector, contributing to significant revenue losses, widespread environmental degradation, and the unchecked exploitation of resources such as gold, lithium, limestone, coal, bitumen, and tin.
The renewed enforcement campaign is part of the Federal Government's broader efforts to reform the solid minerals sector, which has been identified as a key component of Nigeria's economic diversification agenda. Successive governments have sought to reposition the sector as an alternative source of revenue and foreign exchange as the country attempts to reduce its dependence on crude oil. The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has stepped up efforts to attract investment, strengthen regulation, and clamp down on illegal resource exploitation, repeatedly emphasising the need for operators to comply with licensing and other regulatory requirements.
Observers say the renewed enforcement campaign also reflects the strategic vision of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose leadership has placed the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure at the centre of the Corps' mandate. Under his stewardship, the NSCDC has strengthened institutional support for the Mining Marshals, positioning the unit as a critical instrument in the government's campaign against illegal resource exploitation and revenue leakages. The Corps has reiterated its commitment to working with relevant regulatory agencies and stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria's mineral wealth is harnessed in accordance with the law, for the benefit of the economy and future generations.
As enforcement activities gather momentum nationwide, the message from the Mining Marshals remains unequivocal: compliance is not optional, and those who choose to operate outside the law will face the full weight of legal consequences. The intensified enforcement drive is aimed at restoring order to a sector that has long been undermined by illegal activities, and at ensuring that Nigeria's vast mineral resources are exploited in a manner that benefits the nation and its people.
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