The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) are intensifying intelligence-led efforts to dismantle illegal mining networks and disrupt illicit financial flows that may sustain banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
The security operation is increasingly treating illegal mining not only as an economic and environmental offence but as a potential security-financing vulnerability, with enforcement efforts focused on identifying offenders, tracing illicit activities and pursuing prosecution.
According to a statement signed by the President of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), Odita Sunday, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja, disclosed the position on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by DECAN members to his office.
Onoja said the Mining Marshals would maintain an uncompromising approach to enforcing mining laws, arguing that disrupting the financial channels connected to criminal networks could reduce the resources available to sustain banditry and terrorism.
The commander said the operation uses intelligence-led processes covering identification, arrest, investigation and prosecution, while maintaining a presence across mining communities as part of its deterrence strategy. He acknowledged manpower and logistics limitations but maintained that enforcement would continue.
He also identified alleged collusion between compromised officials and illegal miners as a major obstacle to the campaign, alleging that some officials had resorted to blackmail and petitions against Mining Marshals in attempts to frustrate enforcement.
The commander consequently appealed for sustained media support, urging defence correspondents to report accurately and responsibly on illegal mining and its wider security implications. He also called for performance assessments that take account of the operational resources available to the Mining Marshals.
DECAN President Odita Sunday, who led the delegation, described illegal mining as a growing threat to the environment, national revenue and national security. He pledged the association's commitment to professional and accurate reporting while urging the Mining Marshals to maintain open communication channels with accredited defence correspondents.
He stressed that regular briefings, field engagements and access to verified information would help reduce misinformation while enabling the media to inform the public about the security consequences of illegal mining without compromising operational security.
The Mining Marshals were launched in March 2024 as a specialised NSCDC operation to combat illegal mining and protect Nigeria's critical mineral resources.
🏷️ Tags: Mining Marshals, NSCDC, Illegal Mining, Mining Security, Terrorism Financing, Banditry, Kidnapping, Critical Minerals, Intelligence-Led Operations, National Security, Defence Correspondents, DECAN, Security Sector
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