NSCDC Cracks Down on Illegal Mining, Recovers 99 Sites

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a staggering 460 illegal mining operations and arrested 387 individuals in a 14-month anti-illegal mining campaign.

Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, made the disclosure during an interview in Abuja, revealing that 99 of the illegal sites have been reclaimed and returned to their rightful title holders.

He confirmed that legal action had been taken against 146 of the suspects, with charges filed in court.

“Those with legitimate claims have resumed proper mining activities, helping to boost government revenue,” Onoja stated.

He also highlighted that around 25% of the arrested suspects were foreign nationals. “The law is applied equally, without regard for nationality,” he emphasized.

Onoja detailed how the Mining Marshals have conducted 28 clearance operations in areas threatened by armed groups or known for security risks.

“These operations are strategically executed to avoid casualties while achieving meaningful outcomes,” he explained.

He noted that the corps relies heavily on intelligence gathering, surveillance, and petitions from dispossessed license holders to locate illegal operations. In high-risk zones—often remote and lacking official presence—clearance missions are carefully planned and sometimes require hours-long motorcycle journeys to access the locations.

“Some of these areas are so isolated that you might not realize you’re still within Nigerian territory,” he remarked. “In such cases, we proceed cautiously, using a mix of tactical strategy and diplomacy.”

Onoja attributed the success of the crackdown to the formal establishment of the Mining Marshals, a move championed by the Ministers of Interior and Solid Minerals Development under the direction of President Bola Tinubu.

He also commended the leadership of NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, for bolstering the agency’s operational strength to protect Nigeria’s mineral wealth and reduce the environmental impact of illegal mining.