The federal government has strengthened its crackdown on illegal mining with the commissioning of eight operational gun trucks for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals in Abuja on Thursday.
The commissioning ceremony also marked the second anniversary of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, a specialised unit established to combat illegal mining activities and safeguard Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
Speaking at the event held at the NSCDC headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, the Secretary to the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibril (retd), who represented the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the government remains committed to strengthening inter-agency collaboration in the sector.
He said the Ministry of Interior would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other stakeholders to ensure better protection of Nigeria’s mineral assets.
Jibril said the administration is determined to deepen cooperation among security agencies to tackle illegal mining and other crimes undermining the country’s economic interests.
“The Ministry of Interior remains committed to strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other relevant stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s solid mineral resources and enhance national security,” he said.
He added that the ministry was ready to work with all security agencies to “combat illegal mining activities and protect the nation’s economic assets.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s resolve to stamp out illegal mining and other forms of sabotage in the sector.
Alake said the government would continue to deploy all necessary measures to protect the country’s mineral wealth, describing the mining sector as critical to economic diversification and national development.
He stressed that securing mineral resources was key to boosting revenue, attracting investment, and driving sustainable growth.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to deploying all necessary measures to eliminate illegal mining and other acts of sabotage within the mining sector,” he said.
He added, “Securing Nigeria’s mineral resources remains a critical component of the government’s strategy for economic growth, revenue generation, and sustainable national development.”
The event also highlighted the achievements of the NSCDC Mining Marshals over the past two years, including intensified enforcement operations against illegal mining activities across the country.
