Alake Commends Mining Marshals for Arresting 327 Offenders, Recovering 98 Sites in 1 Year
The federal government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining operations, leading to the arrest of 327 offenders and the recovery of 98 mining sites over the past year.
This milestone was revealed by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, during a press briefing in Abuja marking the first anniversary of the Mining Marshals, a special enforcement unit established to combat unauthorized mining activities.
Dr. Alake credited the success of the operation to the relentless efforts of the Mining Marshals, whose interventions have restored access to legally licensed operators and significantly deterred illicit activities that had crippled the industry and threatened national security.
“The activation of the Mining Marshals has disrupted illegal mining networks across the country. It is no longer business as usual,” the Minister declared.
Among the unit’s major accomplishments was a large-scale operation in Kogi State, where over 3,000 illegal miners were expelled from a site belonging to North South Extractive Industries Limited. Other notable recoveries include sites in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abia, and Kogi states.
To bolster enforcement, the Marshals have identified 457 additional illegal mining sites while improving intelligence gathering. Over the past year, 147 illegal operators have been prosecuted, including foreign nationals convicted in Kwara State— a move Alake described as a strong signal of the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining.
In a bid to enhance surveillance, the Ministry plans to expand the Mining Marshals’ coverage nationwide, integrating satellite technology, drones, and miniature robots to monitor mining activities in real-time. “For the first time, we are providing both air and ground coverage for the security of the solid minerals sector,” Alake affirmed.
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He also commended the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force for their support in apprehending illegal miners, while acknowledging the judiciary’s role in ensuring swift prosecutions.
Looking ahead, the government has pledged to build on these achievements to further sanitize the mining sector and increase its contribution to national revenue.
As part of efforts to promote transparency and media engagement, Alake announced the establishment of an annual award for the Best Report on Solid Minerals Development in Nigeria, to be administered by the Diamonds Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).
“The Nigerian press has played a crucial role in exposing illegal mining and advocating for sectoral reforms. This award aims to encourage responsible and impactful journalism,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the National Commandant of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commander Mathacho Onoja, attributed the unit’s success to well-structured operational guidelines introduced by the Ministry.
“Since our launch, we have tackled numerous cases of encroachment, including incidents where illegal miners and, in some cases, armed groups, took over sites belonging to legitimate title holders,” Onoja said.
Despite facing security risks and logistical challenges, he reiterated the team’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources.
“Our motivation is driven by duty, not financial incentives. The Minister’s encouragement keeps our morale high as we continue our mission,” he added.
Onoja further disclosed that the Mining Marshals have strengthened their nationwide presence, deploying multiple trained operatives to strategic locations. He applauded the collaboration between the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with the federal government’s broader economic agenda to position the mining sector as a sustainable alternative to oil revenue.
By PRNigeria
