Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has announced the arrest of nearly 300 illegal mining operators since the introduction of mining marshals in March.
The minister made the disclosure during a briefing with the House Committee on Solid Minerals, highlighting that over 2,000 trained marshals, deployed nationwide, have significantly curbed unauthorised mining activities.
“In strengthening security to combat illegal mining—a persistent challenge to local communities and Nigeria’s global reputation—we have achieved significant progress,” Alake stated. “Since deploying the marshals, nearly 300 illegal operators, including foreign nationals, have been apprehended. This proactive security measure has dramatically reduced unauthorised mining activities across the country.”
He emphasised that this renewed security architecture is vital for ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s mining sector, thereby attracting reliable investors.
Alake also highlighted the ministry’s success in drawing interest from leading international investors through strategic outreach initiatives.
“Our focus on in-country processing and value addition for minerals is retaining wealth that would otherwise be lost through raw exports,” he explained. “This policy is setting a new trend across Africa, culminating in the establishment of the African Mineral Strategy Group.”
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s mining sector into a stable, investor-friendly environment while securing the nation’s mineral resources for long-term development.
In March 2024, Alake inaugurated the mining marshals, a specialized security force formed to secure Nigeria’s mining sites and address the widespread illegal mining that has plagued the industry.The marshals, led by Abubakar Audi, Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have been tasked with tackling theft and other illegal activities surrounding Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
