The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered 460 illegal mining sites and arrested 387 individuals over the past 14 months as part of its intensified efforts to combat unlawful mining across the country.
Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, disclosed the figures during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. He confirmed that out of the 460 sites identified, 99 have been reclaimed and returned to licensed mineral title holders.
According to Onoja, 146 of the arrested suspects have already been prosecuted in court. He added that the recovery of these sites has enabled legitimate mining activities to resume, contributing revenue to the federal government.
He noted that about 25 per cent of the suspects were foreign nationals, affirming that justice is administered equally, irrespective of nationality.
The commander also revealed that the Marshals had conducted 28 clearance operations in high-risk zones, including areas threatened by banditry or flagged in intelligence reports. These operations, he said, are carefully planned to avoid casualties among both officers and suspects.
Onoja emphasised that the unit’s actions are guided by intelligence and surveillance reports, as well as complaints from legally recognised mining operators who have been displaced by illegal miners. He described some of the terrains encountered during these operations as extremely remote and without any visible government presence, often requiring long journeys by motorcycle.
He attributed much of the success to the formal establishment of the Mining Marshals under the supervision of the Ministers of Interior and Solid Minerals Development, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Dr Dele Alake, respectively, and under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
Onoja also praised the support of NSCDC Commandant-General Dr Ahmed Audi, noting that his leadership has helped strengthen the corps’ ability to protect mining areas, curb illegal mining, and limit environmental harm.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, ordered the deportation of four Chinese nationals—Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong—convicted of illegal mining. Justice Dorcas V. Agishi ruled on 16 May that they be deported and banned from returning to Nigeria. The court also ordered the forfeiture of N134 million seized from them to the federal government.
