The Federal Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining activities with renewed operational engagements by the Mining Marshals across mining sites in Nasarawa and Plateau States.
The operations, carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, focused on intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring and investigations into alleged illegal mining activities as authorities move to strengthen oversight in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The enforcement activities were conducted under the strategic leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf, led the field engagements alongside senior officials from the Mines Inspectorate Department, Special Duties Department and representatives of the Mining Cadastre Office.
Operatives of the Mining Marshals, led by Commander ACC Attah John Onoja, also carried out field assessments and enforcement related operations targeted at curbing illegal mining and ensuring strict compliance with mining regulations.
The Mining Marshals praised the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for his continued support in strengthening the operational capacity of the special unit. The unit noted that the support has boosted ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining activities in several parts of the country.
The Marshals further commended Dr. Alake for his reform driven leadership and commitment to repositioning the mining sector towards greater transparency, accountability and investor confidence.
According to officials, the engagements have further strengthened collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the NSCDC and mining communities, while advancing government efforts to sanitise the sector and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources for sustainable economic growth.
