Federal Government Launches Eight Gun Trucks to Strengthen Fight Against Illegal Mining
The Federal Government has procured and commissioned eight operational gun trucks for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against illegal mining activities across the country.
The vehicles were unveiled during a symbolic commissioning ceremony and the presentation of a book titled “The Guardians of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals: Two Years of Commitment and Service by the Mining Marshals.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Henry Dele Alake, assured the Mining Marshals of continued government support to enhance their operational effectiveness.
He disclosed that additional state-of-the-art technological equipment and armoured vehicles would be provided once budgetary provisions are secured.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the performance of the specialised unit, revealing that within two years of its establishment, the Mining Marshals had arrested more than 300 illegal miners, prosecuted over 150 suspects and secured several convictions involving both Nigerian and foreign nationals.
According to Alake, the activities of the Mining Marshals have contributed significantly to efforts aimed at boosting revenue from the solid minerals sector and supporting the diversification of Nigeria’s economy away from dependence on oil.
He condemned attempts by illegal miners and their collaborators to undermine ongoing enforcement operations, describing them as enemies of the state who would face the full weight of the law.
Also speaking, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin (Rtd.) of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), commended the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development for its support to the Mining Marshals initiative.
He said the collaboration between both ministries had helped protect Nigeria’s mineral resources and pledged continued support through training, funding and enhanced operational capacity.
In his remarks, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, represented by Deputy Commandant General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, described the intervention as unprecedented and transformative.
He identified illegal mining as a major threat to national development and assured stakeholders that the NSCDC would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to address the challenge.
The Commandant General further pledged that the newly acquired gun trucks would be deployed strictly for operational purposes in line with the mandate of the Mining Marshals.
Earlier, the National Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and both ministries for the support.
He noted that the new operational assets would enhance the unit’s ability to tackle illegal mining activities and protect the nation’s mineral resources.
Onoja called on Nigerians to support the efforts of the Mining Marshals, stressing that illegal mining amounts to the theft of the nation’s wealth and poses a serious threat to economic development.
He also appealed to other security agencies to sustain cooperation with the Mining Marshals in the ongoing effort to sanitise the mining sector and safeguard Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
Federal Government Launches Eight Gun Trucks to Strengthen Fight Against Illegal Mining