By Uloma Peace Okorie
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken decisive action against illegal mining in Abuja, shutting down an illegal quarry in the Kuje Area Council and arresting 13 suspects in connection with the operation.
According to Assistant Commandant Attah John Onoja, Commander of the NSCDC’s Mining Marshals, the operation underscores the government’s commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the mining sector. The Mining Marshals were established to tackle the widespread issue of illegal mining in Nigeria, which costs the country an estimated $9 billion annually.
The NSCDC’s efforts have also revealed that powerful Nigerians are behind these operations, using foreigners as fronts while funding insecurity. Some of the hotspots for illegal mining in Abuja include Gwagwalada, Asokoro, Gaube, Kuje, and Katampe Extension.
Between 2023 and 2024, over 72 suspects were arrested in Abuja alone for illegal mining activities. The NSCDC, along with other security agencies, is working to restore order and transparency in Nigeria’s mining landscape.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals has called for broader collaboration with the media to combat illegal mining, warning against biased reporting and stating that illegal mining cartels fund “rogue journalism” to discredit enforcement efforts.
The NSCDC’s crackdown on illegal mining in Abuja is part of a larger effort to address the menace and promote a more transparent and secure mining sector. With the government’s commitment to zero tolerance for illegality, the NSCDC is poised to continue its efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations and prosecute offenders.