The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI), a prominent non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called for collaboration between local vigilante groups in mining host communities and the newly established Mining Marshals for better security at mining sites. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Philip Jakpor, the Executive Director of RDI, emphasised the importance of such a partnership in ensuring the safety and security of mining operations across the country.
Jakpor described the synergy between local vigilantes and the Mining Marshals as vital for achieving the objective of safeguarding mining sites, particularly given the challenges posed by illegal mining activities. He noted that local vigilante groups, with their deep knowledge of the terrain and the people in the communities, could greatly enhance the marshals’ surveillance efforts. “They know the bad eggs of the community; they know the strange faces and the good faces in the community. So, if mining marshals drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) work with communities that already have vigilante groups, I think the impact will be more. That is the kind of synergy needed,” Jakpor explained.
The Mining Marshals security unit was created in 2024 by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, to provide enhanced security for mining sites across Nigeria. The unit is composed of personnel drawn from the NSCDC, with 2,570 officers inaugurated to date. Since its formation, the unit has made significant progress, with over 300 illegal miners arrested and prosecuted for their activities. Jakpor believes that further integrating local communities into the security framework could help the marshals in tackling the problem of illegal mining, which is often linked to insecurity and insurgency in mining areas.
He also stressed the timeliness of establishing the Mining Marshals, particularly given the rising insecurity at mining sites, which are increasingly being used by criminal elements. “Mining sites have become hotbeds for insurgency, and involving local communities in securing these areas will contribute to reducing these security challenges,” Jakpor said.
In addition to the call for collaboration with local vigilantes, Jakpor urged the government to ensure that the Mining Marshals receive adequate welfare and support. He highlighted that ensuring the marshals’ financial stability would prevent them from being compromised by illegal miners, who may attempt to bribe them in exchange for protection or other illicit activities. “If you do not pay them well, the illegal miners will be able to entice them, and when they do that, they can compromise,” Jakpor warned.
The RDI executive also emphasised the need for the marshals to have access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their duties effectively. This includes ensuring that they have reliable transportation, even to the most remote mining sites, and the necessary equipment for surveillance and enforcement. “When I talk about tools of work, I mean they should be able to reach mining sites no matter how far they are. If they need choppers, they should have them,” Jakpor explained, citing the Shiroro incident as an example of how accessibility challenges can hinder security efforts.
The RDI’s call for greater collaboration between local vigilante groups and the Mining Marshals comes at a critical time, as illegal mining continues to be a significant challenge for Nigeria’s mining sector. By combining local knowledge with formal security structures, the hope is to create a more effective and sustainable solution to the issue of mining-related insecurity.
Jakpor’s remarks highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to securing mining sites, one that combines both local and national efforts to address the complex security challenges in the sector. As the government continues to develop policies and structures to combat illegal mining, the integration of local communities into these efforts could prove to be a key factor in their success.
