FG to strengthen Mining Marshals, suppress illegal miners – Alake
The Federal Government has reiterated it’s commitment to curb illegal mining activities across Nigeria, with plans to strengthen the operations of Mining Marshals and expand their nationwide coverage. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, made this known on Friday during a press conference marking the one-year anniversary of the corps.
He emphasized that the establishment of the Mining Marshals had significantly disrupted unauthorized mining activities and restored investor confidence in the sector. “The activation of the corps to enforce the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA) has struck fear into illegal operators, largely curbing their activities and serving as a deterrent,” Alake stated.
Providing an update on the marshals’ operations, the minister revealed that within the past year, enforcement teams had conducted operations across 10 states—Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory. These operations led to the arrest of 327 suspected illegal miners, the arraignment of 143 individuals, the recovery of 98 mining sites, and the identification of 457 illegal mining locations.
Although logistical constraints have posed challenges, Alake assured that the increased budgetary allocation for the ministry in the 2025 fiscal year would help address these issues. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for approving a budget that aligns with the ministry’s growing responsibilities, adding that the funding would enhance the marshals’ operational capabilities and facilitate nationwide coverage.
To further boost security in the mining sector, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved N2.5 billion for the deployment of satellite technology. Alake explained that this initiative would enable air and ground surveillance, marking a major milestone in securing Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
Assessing the impact of the Mining Marshals over the past year, the minister noted that the corps had grown from an initial 2,220 operatives to 2,670 personnel. Their presence has heightened awareness of government enforcement efforts, deterred illegal miners, and contributed to increased revenue generation in the sector.
Alake also commended the Commandant of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Attah Onoja, for his leadership, reaffirming the government’s commitment to equipping the corps with better logistics, additional personnel, equipment, and ammunition to decisively eliminate illegal mining.
In response, ACC Onoja thanked the minister for his support, noting that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the ministry had played a key role in the successes recorded over the past year. He welcomed the federal government’s commitment to providing improved logistics and assured that the marshals remain motivated to intensify the crackdown on illegal mining.
