Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has disclosed that its specialised Mining Marshals unit has arrested more than 600 suspected illegal miners, recovered upwards of 100 illegal mining sites, and commenced the prosecution of over 500 suspects since the unit was established in March 2024. The figures were announced by the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant Attah Onoja, during the 8th edition of the NSCDC Lagos Public Relations Clinic, organised by the Lagos State Command in collaboration with Halogen Group, under the theme "Collaborative Security as a Paradigm for Mining Security."
Onoja said the establishment of the Mining Marshals was part of the Federal Government's response to the growing menace of illegal mining and the urgent need to diversify the Nigerian economy through the development of the solid minerals sector. He described the unit as a specialised security initiative created by the NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Abubakar Audi, at a time when Nigeria was in dire need of economic diversification. "From March 2024 till date, we have made several arrests, recovered over 100 illegal mining sites and restored them to legitimate investors. Several of those arrested for these offences are also currently undergoing prosecution, even as our zero tolerance for compromise is compelling a traffic of compliance on the doorsteps of the regulatory agencies," Onoja stated.
The commander stressed that illegal mining is more than an economic or environmental offence. He framed it as a direct national security concern, citing its links to insecurity, environmental degradation, revenue losses and the exploitation of vulnerable communities. "Illegal mining has gone beyond an economic or regulatory offence. It is a national security concern because of its links to insecurity," he said. He warned that the illicit extraction of minerals has the potential to become a source of illicit financing, including for terrorism and other violent crimes, making the fight against it a matter of national survival.
Onoja attributed the progress recorded by the Mining Marshals to the NSCDC Commandant-General's "3Cs" policy of collaboration, cooperation and coordination, which he said had shaped the unit's operations from the outset. He identified three major pillars of the Marshals' operational strategy: community collaboration, private-sector collaboration and inter-agency collaboration. On community collaboration, he said credible information from host communities had contributed significantly to the success of operations. "The most effective security is community-driven. Our greatest successes have come from credible community tips. When host communities see themselves as partners and beneficiaries of legal mining, illegal mining loses its social base," he stated.
On private-sector collaboration, Onoja emphasised the role of technology, risk intelligence and private security expertise in monitoring Nigeria's vast mining corridors. "Securing vast mining corridors requires massive technology, risk intelligence and private security expertise that government alone cannot provide. The private sector is not just a stakeholder; it is a force multiplier," he said. He acknowledged Halogen Group for its support in strengthening the Marshals' operational capacity through technology deployment. On inter-agency collaboration, he explained that the Marshals work hand-in-hand with the NSCDC, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the military, the police, the Department of State Services and the judiciary. "The effect is that mining is now returning to being an orderly, revenue-generating sector for Nigeria," he said.
Despite the progress, Onoja acknowledged that significant challenges remain. He cited the sheer size of Nigeria's mining terrain and the growing sophistication of illegal mining networks as persistent obstacles. He called for collaboration to evolve from a tactical approach into a broader national security paradigm. "We need to move from collaborative security as an operational tactic to collaborative security as a national paradigm. We must share data better, communicate faster, and speak with one voice to the public," he declared. He also charged journalists and public relations professionals to play a greater role in educating the public, describing them as an important link between security operations and public understanding.
The commander cautioned security agencies against sending conflicting messages on the fight against illegal mining, warning that gaps between public statements and field operations could be exploited by illegal operators. He urged the media to report illegal mining not merely as an economic offence, but in the context of its potential implications for national security. He further argued that protecting legitimate mining activities would improve government revenue and enable authorities to exercise greater oversight over the sector.
The Mining Marshals were established in March 2024 following directives from the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to strengthen the government's response to illegal mining. The unit operates under the NSCDC's statutory mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure. The figures disclosed by Onoja build on previous updates from the agency. In July 2026, the Mining Marshals reported the arrest of 671 suspected illegal miners, with 397 already charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The latest disclosure of over 600 arrests, over 100 recovered sites and over 500 prosecutions is consistent with the unit's sustained operational tempo.
For a country that has long struggled to translate its vast mineral wealth into tangible economic benefits, the Mining Marshals represent a critical intervention. Nigeria's solid minerals sector has been plagued by illegal operators who extract resources without licences, evade royalties and taxes, and degrade the environment. Their activities have also been linked to broader security challenges, as illegal mining sites have become havens for criminal networks and sources of illicit financing. The Marshals' emphasis on collaboration reflects a recognition that no single agency can tackle this complex challenge alone. By engaging communities, the private sector and other security agencies, the unit has adopted a holistic approach that addresses both the supply and demand sides of the illegal mining economy.
The road ahead remains difficult. Nigeria's mining terrain is vast and difficult to patrol, and illegal operators are constantly adapting their tactics. But the numbers tell a story of progress. Over 600 arrests, over 100 sites recovered and over 500 prosecutions represent a significant disruption to the illegal mining economy. The Marshals have also demonstrated that with the right partnerships and intelligence, the government can reclaim control of its mineral resources. For the communities that have suffered the environmental and social consequences of illegal mining, the unit's work offers a measure of hope. For the illegal operators who have enriched themselves at the nation's expense, it is a warning: the days of impunity are numbered.
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