More than 300 individuals involved in illegal mining have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals over the past two years, the Federal Government disclosed. Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, announced the figure while speaking at the inauguration of eight gun trucks in Abuja on Wednesday. The trucks were handed over to the NSCDC Mining Marshals to boost enforcement operations against illegal mining. Alake said the government had also prosecuted over 100 suspects and secured multiple convictions since the unit's formation. He described those obstructing Mining Marshals as economic saboteurs, warning that sponsors and operators of illegal mining sites would face arrest. The minister attributed declining illegal activities to increased enforcement, linking the crackdown to growing investor confidence in the sector. Budgetary provisions have been made for armoured vests, surveillance tools and more vehicles to support the unit, he added. Alake said the government remains committed to administrative support for the marshals to ensure compliance with mining regulations. John Onoja, commander of the Mining Marshals, welcomed the new assets, stating the gun trucks would enhance operations across mining communities. He credited the ministry, the Ministry of Interior and NSCDC leadership for bolstering the unit's capabilities. The event included the unveiling of a book titled The Guardians of Nigeria's Solid Minerals: Two Years of Commitment and Service, documenting the marshals' activities since inception.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

Dele Alake calls those who hinder Mining Marshals "economic saboteurs" while announcing 300 arrests, yet the government only prosecuted over 100 of those detained. The gap between arrests and prosecutions raises questions about follow-through in the justice process. Named only as suspects, many of the 200 unprosecuted individuals remain in legal limbo without trial dates or public outcomes. This imbalance weakens the claim that enforcement is fully effective or consistently applied.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →