BY ANTHONIA EMMANUEL
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its clampdown on illegal mining activities with the arrest of 17 individuals and the seizure of several vehicles in Kogi State. The operation was carried out in the Odiagbo-Okaba district of Ankpa Local Government Area, a region increasingly affected by unauthorized mining operations.
This coordinated enforcement effort was led by Assistant Commandant of Corps, John Attah, under the directive of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, an elite unit created to tackle illegal mining across Nigeria. During the operation, three trucks and 39 motorcycles allegedly used for transporting illegally mined materials were impounded.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed the arrests and seizures in a statement released on Wednesday. He explained that the operation was triggered by growing concerns from local residents who had raised alarm over environmental degradation and public health hazards linked to illegal mining in their communities.
Residents in the affected area had long expressed frustration over the adverse effects of unchecked mining, including soil erosion, contaminated water sources, and threats to agricultural productivity. The NSCDC’s intervention marks a significant step in addressing these issues and restoring order in the sector.
The Mining Marshals initiative is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Ministry of Interior. It was established to enforce mining laws, monitor mining sites, and prevent the illegal extraction of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources, which often leads to massive economic losses and environmental destruction.
NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting Nigeria’s natural resources and critical infrastructure from sabotage. He described illegal mining as a direct threat to the economy and vowed to intensify operations across hotspot states.
“The battle against illegal mining is far from over. We are committed to protecting our national assets and ensuring that criminal elements are brought to justice,” Audi said in the statement.
The NSCDC has urged local communities to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious mining activities, as the Corps remains determined to safeguard both the environment and the nation’s economic future.
This operation is one of several recent steps taken by the NSCDC to crack down on illegal exploitation of the country’s mineral wealth. More actions are expected in other affected regions in the coming months.
