The Federal Government has deployed Mining Marshals to support intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring, and operational oversight in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Commander of Mining Marshals Operations and Assistant Commandant of Corps, Attah Onoja.
According to the statement, the deployment forms part of ongoing measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving regulatory compliance within the mining industry.
“The Mining Marshals are now participating in investigations, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring, and fact-finding missions conducted by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development,” Onoja stated.
He disclosed that the marshals recently joined officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on operational visits to mining sites in Nasarawa State and Plateau State.
The operations were conducted under the leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
According to the statement, the field operations were aimed at improving monitoring, regulatory compliance, and operational oversight within the sector.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, represented the minister during some of the engagements.
During one of the operations, the Mining Marshals and ministry officials visited a mining site allegedly involved in illegal mining activities.
The visit, according to the statement, was intended to verify allegations of unlawful mining, assess compliance with mining regulations, and gather information for possible administrative and enforcement actions.
Other senior officials present during the operations included Engr. Frank Odoom, Director of Special Duties; Engr. Imam A. Ganiyu, Director of Mines Inspectorate; Andrew Zubiri, Director of Legal Services; and Ibrahim Abdulmajeed, representing the Director General of the Mining Cadastre Office.
The government noted that the engagements also provided an opportunity for mining communities to communicate concerns relating to illegal mining, environmental issues, security challenges, and regulatory compliance directly to authorities.
The statement added that the Mining Marshals would continue to support the ministry through intelligence gathering, operational collaboration, and inter-agency coordination across mining communities nationwide.
