The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has disclosed that its Mining Marshals have arrested 671 suspected illegal miners, charged 397 before the Federal High Court and secured several convictions as part of the Federal Government’s intensified campaign against illegal mining.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while representing the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, at the Stakeholders’ Workshop on Extractive Industries Governance organised by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering.

According to Onoja, the Mining Marshals, established by the Federal Government in 2024, have dismantled several illegal mining operations nationwide, shut down illegal mining sites, seized equipment used in unlawful activities and restored affected sites to legitimate licence holders.

He attributed the unit’s achievements to the professionalism of its personnel, effective inter-agency collaboration and sustained support from the Federal Government.

Onoja said the renewed enforcement efforts had improved compliance with mining regulations and contributed to increased revenue generation in the solid minerals sector.

Quoting figures from the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), he said revenue from the sector rose by 337 per cent between 2023 and 2026, increasing from about ₦6 billion in 2023 to more than ₦70 billion by June 2026. He added that the figures align with reports attributing the growth to ongoing reforms and increased investment in the mining industry.

The Mining Marshals commander commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for driving reforms in the sector, describing his leadership as a turning point for Nigeria’s mining industry.

He also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigerian Armed Forces for providing operational assistance during enforcement activities.

Onoja reserved special commendation for the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, describing his leadership as instrumental to the successes recorded by the Mining Marshals since their inauguration.

He said Audi’s strategic direction, institutional support and commitment had transformed the special squad into a formidable force against illegal mining across the country.

Speaking at the workshop, the President of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers, Hamza Muhammad, urged the Federal Government to enforce local processing of mineral resources before export, arguing that value addition would create jobs, accelerate industrialisation and enable Nigeria to derive greater economic benefits from its mineral wealth.

Also speaking, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), represented by Fatima Usman-Katsina, reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development through a joint technical working group aimed at improving traceability, accountability and coordination across the mining value chain.

Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the workshop was convened to generate practical solutions to illegal mining, insecurity and illicit financial flows.

He reiterated the House’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s legal framework to improve governance in the mining sector, curb illegal activities and attract responsible investment.

The Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering, Hon. Sanni Abdulraheem, called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, regulatory institutions, mining operators and host communities.

He assured participants that the committee’s recommendations would focus on legislative and policy reforms aimed at strengthening governance, tackling illegal mining and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources.

Despite the progress recorded, Onoja identified inadequate logistics, insufficient manpower and weapons, judicial delays, interference from vested interests and limited community cooperation as major challenges confronting the Mining Marshals.

He called for dedicated budgetary support, greater deployment of surveillance technology, the establishment of a national mining intelligence situation room and the designation of special Federal High Court judges to accelerate the prosecution of illegal mining cases.

According to him, addressing these challenges would further strengthen enforcement, improve investor confidence and protect Nigeria’s mineral resources from criminal exploitation.

Onoja reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s extractive assets in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that a secure mining sector would boost government revenue, create employment opportunities and reduce funding sources for criminal activities.