ABUJA — The NSCDC Mining Marshals have ramped up nationwide enforcement to clean up Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and enforce compliance with mining laws. The unit said operational teams in the South-West and other regions are making notable gains in ensuring activities meet regulatory standards, backing the Federal Government’s push to end illegal mining and secure national mineral resources. Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Onoja Attah, cautioned operators that ignorance of the law is not a defense. “Every operator must ensure that mining activities are conducted within the ambit of the law. Those who choose to operate outside the regulatory framework will face the full weight of legal consequences,” he said.
Onoja stated that the intensified drive goes beyond stopping illegal mining. It is also to protect genuine investors, improve revenue generation, and restore credibility to a sector plagued by regulatory breaches and economic sabotage. The Marshals reiterated that safe, lawful and sustainable mining practices are essential to unlocking the sector’s full economic value. The operation aligns with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development’s reform agenda to make mining a key driver of economic diversification through stricter compliance, investor confidence, and zero tolerance for illegal operations.
The NSCDC linked the campaign to the leadership of Commandant General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose focus on protecting critical national assets has strengthened institutional backing for the Mining Marshals. The Corps said it will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure Nigeria’s mineral wealth is exploited legally and transparently for present and future generations. As operations scale up across the country, the Mining Marshals’ position remains firm: compliance is mandatory.
