Nigeria has inaugurated 350 new operatives to strengthen its mining marshals, highlighting the federal government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector.
At the Passing Out Parade held at the NSCDC headquarters, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ogbe, praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Ministry of Interior. He specifically commended Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their efforts in combating illegal mining.
In a statement by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Alake noted, “The minister noted that the mining marshals’ efforts have significantly reduced illegal mineral haulage and the activities of unlicensed operators nationwide.”
The initiative to strengthen the mining marshals began with the inauguration of the first batch of 2,220 operatives. Since then, over 200 illegal mining suspects have been arrested, with 133 prosecutions currently underway, and confiscated illegally mined minerals have been forfeited to the federal government.
“Today’s Passing Out Parade of the second batch will further increase our numbers, ensuring wider coverage and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the squad. As we integrate and improve collaboration between mining marshals and Federal Mines Officers (FMO) across the country, we aim to intensify sector sanitisation and boost investor confidence, leading to increased investments and development in the mining industry,” Dr. Alake stated.
NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Abubakar Audi, revealed that the new operatives underwent an intensive 8-week training program. This training has prepared them to strengthen the mining marshals’ operations and intensify efforts against illegal miners nationwide.
Addressing the new marshals, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasised that the mining marshals are a product of successful collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Ministry of Interior. He underscored the need for continued training and deployment to ensure comprehensive coverage of the country’s vast mining areas.
“The progress made so far exemplifies effective collaboration. With this second batch, we have more personnel on the ground, but we must continue training and deploying to protect our mining areas and ensure our nation reaps the full benefits of its solid minerals, for economic development,” Dr. Tunji-Ojo added.
The addition of the new operatives brings the total number of specially trained and equipped mining marshals deployed nationwide to 2,570.
