The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have sealed seven suspected illegal mineral buying and processing centres in Kontagora, Niger State, following investigations into alleged violations of Nigeria’s mining laws and mineral trading regulations.

The enforcement operation, carried out on June 12, 2026, also led to the arrest of four suspects linked to some of the affected companies.

According to a statement made available to The Guardian, the facilities sealed include 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals & Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited and another mineral buying facility operating within the area.

The NSCDC said the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that some of the companies were allegedly operating mineral buying centres without the necessary regulatory approvals and procuring strategic minerals from unverified sources in contravention of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.

According to the preliminary investigation, representatives of some of the companies admitted purchasing monazite from suppliers who presented only state or local government revenue receipts without producing valid mining leases, Small-Scale Mining Leases (SSML), Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals (LPPM), Mineral Buying Centre Licences or other statutory approvals required under Nigerian law.

The report further stated that statements obtained from officials of AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited and 17 Mines & Minerals Limited suggested the companies purchased minerals without verifying whether suppliers possessed the legal authority to mine, possess or sell the minerals.

Investigators also said no documentary evidence was produced during the operation to demonstrate that some of the affected companies held valid Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals or Mineral Buying Centre Licences authorising them to procure minerals from third parties.

However, the report recommended further verification of permits and approvals claimed by some of the companies with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant regulatory agencies.

According to the investigation, there is prima facie evidence of regulatory non-compliance and reasonable grounds to suspect that some of the recovered minerals may have originated from illegal mining activities.

The report recommended comprehensive verification of licences, further investigation of identified suppliers, legal review of the findings and prosecution where sufficient evidence of criminal conduct is established. It also proposed the forfeiture of minerals recovered during the operation to the Federal Government in accordance with existing laws.

Preliminary valuation of the seized minerals, comprising monazite, iron ore and zircon recovered from the affected facilities, placed their estimated value at several millions of naira.

Confirming the operation, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, said the crackdown formed part of ongoing efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, dismantle illegal mineral trading networks and strengthen compliance with mining regulations.

“Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal miners won’t exist,” Onoja said.