With the Mining Marshals marking one year in existence on Friday 21st March 2025, 327 suspected illegal miners have been arrested within the period.
The Mining Marshals, which is a force specially created to secure mining sites in the country, also recovered a total of 98 sites from illegal miners.
Briefing journalists in Abuja in commemoration of the one year existence of the Mining Marshals , the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, also disclosed that the Mining Marshals were deployed in the last one year to address the menace of illegal mining in the country with a view to boosting government revenue from the sector.
Dr. Alake disclosed that the Mining Marshals have also identified 457 suspected illegal mining sites due to improved intelligence gathering.
Commending the successes recorded by the mining marshals within one years, he promised that their scope will be expanded to increase from covering only 10 states in the country to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said “I want to congratulate you for the very good work that you have done in this last one year. We are very impressed with your performance this year. And this gives us the confidence to believe that you are going to do more.
“When you are successful in what you do, then higher authority will be more confident to give you more responsibility.
“The purpose of creating and establishing you last year has been displayed. You have succeeded in addressing several illegal offenders, growing into hundreds.
“You have succeeded in bringing some into the courts for persecution, and in fact, ensuring conviction.
“Because you are one year today, starting another new year tomorrow. And I want to assure you that those things that you need, for efficiency of your operations, like logistic support, arms, money, everything, and all other things that you must need, we will provide for you. And that is to ensure that your job will be made easier.” he stated
Stressing that some high profile suspects including military officials, politicians, traditional rulers and other wealthy Nigerians, he was optimistic that the monster is surmountable looking at the successes achieved by the mining marshals within one year.
“Today’s event is a continuation of what we do, and that is reporting. We are reporting on the activities of the Mining Marshalls in the last one year. Exactly one year ago today, in this premises, we activated the Mining Marshals and unleashed them onto the fields and the forests, with the sole objective of flushing out illegal operators in this sector.
“A core of 2,220 officers have formed the Mining Marshals and increased over time by 450. There are now 2,670 as of today. And this is due to the injection of new recruits of 350 officers and 100 higher level officers during the course of the year.
“There is no doubt that the activation of a new corp to enforce the provisions of the Nigerian Mining and Minerals Law 2007 and the regulations sent shivers down the spine of illegal miners.
“Upon activation of this corp, a clear message was sent to the sector of solid minerals in Nigeria. The activation of this new core as I said, sent a shockwave in the entire mining sector of Nigeria. Illegal operators in the mining sector of Nigeria were forced to leave the sector.” he stated
The Minister cited the case of over 3,000 illegal miners that were chased out of the North South Extractive Industries Limited in Kogi State by the mining Marshals.
He listed other sites recovered to include Ganan Mining Limited (Kuje, FCT); Jinloys Nigeria Limited in Abia State; Orbit Exploration and Natural Products Limited in Kogi State.
Dr. Alake disclosed that the operations of the Mining Marshals also led to conviction of foreign illegal miners, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, in Kwara State.
Apart from expanding their coverage nationwide, Dr. Alake said that the Mining Marshals will integrating satellite technology, drones, and miniature robots into their operations.
“For the first time, we are providing both air and ground coverage for the security of the solid minerals sector. The activation of the Mining Marshals sent shivers down the spine of illegal miners. It is no longer business as usual,” he said.
The Minister expressed appreciation to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, for their training for the mining Marshals and their role in the fight against illegal miners,
He also commended the judiciary for swift action in prosecuting offenders.
He announced the institution of an annual prize for the Best Report on Solid Minerals Development in Nigeria, to be administered by the Diamonds Awards for Media Excellence (DAME).
The initiative, he said, is aimed at encouraging responsible and impactful journalism in the sector.
“The Nigerian press has been serious, comprehensive, and patriotic in its coverage of the solid minerals sector. This award will further enhance public awareness,” he stated.
With the Mining Marshals starting their second year, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to consolidating gains, flushing out more illegal miners, and boosting Nigeria’s solid minerals contribution to national revenue.
Earlier, the National Commandant of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commander Attah John Onoja noted the impressive role of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development in establishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Mining Marshals, which ensured professionalism in their enforcement efforts.
Some of the challenges faced by the operatives, he said, included dangerous terrains and security risks.
But he assured that the mining Marshals are committed 100 percent to sanitize the sector.
“Since our launch, we have responded to numerous petitions from legitimate mineral title holders who have been unable to access their sites due to the activities of illegal miners and, in some cases, bandits.
“Sir, you are a father. We are leaving here more motivated, and I can assure you that even if I don’t eat for the next two days, I will be the happiest person in the world.
“About 337 suspects of illegal miners have been arrested across the nation. Over 143 are currently undergoing prosecution. We observe strictly the provisions of the law.
“Our driving force is the commitment to safeguarding the sector. The words of encouragement from the Honourable Minister mean more to us than money. They have kept our morale high despite limited logistics,” he said
He commended the collaboration between the NSCDC and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, stress that the initiative aligns with the federal government’s economic agenda to reposition the mining sector as a viable alternative to oil revenue.
Thanking the media for their coverage of the Mining Marshals’ activities, he noted that it has helped to increase public awareness of the fight against illegal mining in the country.
Signed
Kania Maliki Andeyaba
Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations Department)
21st March, 2025
