In an ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities, Nigeria’s Mining Marshals, drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have arrested three Chinese nationals and two Nigerians for illegal mining operations in Nasarawa State. The arrests, carried out last week, targeted an illegal mining site located in the Rafin-Gabas area of the Agwada Council in Kokona Local Government Area.
A statement issued by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, confirmed that the Mining Marshals acted on credible intelligence before raiding the site. “The suspects were arrested for mining without lawful authorization. Some of the minerals being mined include fluorite, zinc, lead, and tin,” the statement said. According to the suspects, illegal mining activities had been taking place on the site, spanning five cadastral units, since December 15, 2021.
The arrested individuals reportedly defied repeated government orders to regularize their operations, resulting in significant revenue losses for Nigeria as resources were illicitly extracted from the site.
The Mining Marshals, an elite 2,570-member force established by Dr. Dele Alake to combat illegal mining, have made over 200 arrests nationwide, with about 140 cases currently under prosecution. This squad was specially trained by the NSCDC to address the growing issue of unlawful mining practices, which have impacted both the environment and government revenue.
“The federal government remains committed to sanitizing the mining sector,” Tomori added. “The operations of the Mining Marshals will be unrelenting until the mining environment is secure and safe for genuine investors.”
