Women Affairs Minister Commends Mining Marshals Commander for Transformational Leadership

Published By Ayshatu S Rabo On Aug 8, 2026

Women Affairs Minister Commends Mining Marshals Commander for Transformational Leadership

The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has commended the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Onoja Attah, for his exemplary leadership and commitment to combating illegal mining and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The Minister gave the commendation in Abuja during the maiden edition of the Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026, where the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) honoured ACC Onoja with the Transformational Leadership Award.

The award recognised his contributions to safeguarding Nigeria’s strategic mineral assets, strengthening security operations and supporting sustainable national development.

Presenting the award, Hajia Imaan praised ACC Onoja’s achievements since his appointment as the pioneer Commander of the Mining Marshals, noting that his leadership has contributed significantly to efforts to restore order within the solid minerals sector.

In his response, ACC Onoja dedicated the award to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, whose leadership and institutional support facilitated the establishment and growth of the Mining Marshals.

He also reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to gender inclusion, stressing that competence, discipline, professionalism, resilience and patriotism—not gender—define effective service within the Mining Marshals.

The Commander highlighted the outstanding contributions of female operatives, noting that they have continued to demonstrate courage and professionalism despite the demanding and high-risk nature of operations against illegal mining.

He further disclosed that more female NSCDC personnel would be integrated into the Mining Marshals in line with the gender-inclusive vision of the Commandant General.

“The courage displayed by our female operatives in the field continues to prove that bravery, leadership, and operational excellence know no gender boundaries,” ACC Onoja said.

He described the increased participation of women in the specialised unit as both a strategic necessity and an important demonstration of the NSCDC’s commitment to building a modern, inclusive and effective security architecture.

The WINSEC 2026 event brought together distinguished personalities, including First Ladies of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi States, serving and retired military and security officers, government officials, development partners and other stakeholders committed to advancing national security and sustainable development.

The recognition of ACC John Onoja Attah underscores the growing role of the Mining Marshals in protecting Nigeria’s mineral wealth, tackling illegal mining and strengthening security within the country’s solid minerals sector.