The Federal Government has expressed full confidence in the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), commending the officers for their dedication and service to the nation.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, delivered the commendation on Wednesday during the inauguration of eight newly acquired gun trucks for the Mining Marshals at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja.
He praised the unit for their commitment and sacrifices in the ongoing fight against illegal mining activities across the country, describing their work as a vital part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to clean up the solid minerals sector and maximise its contribution to national economic growth.
The minister also issued a stern warning to individuals and groups seeking to undermine the marshals’ operations, telling them to back down or face the full consequences of the law.
He expressed concern over what he described as deliberate and coordinated attempts by certain individuals and vested interests to discredit, harass, intimidate, and blackmail officers of the special enforcement unit.
According to him, many of those pushing back against the Mining Marshals are direct beneficiaries of the illegal mining ecosystem that has for years robbed the nation of significant revenue and put legitimate operators at a disadvantage.
He noted that the unit’s recorded successes in curbing illegal mining and protecting the country’s mineral resources have made it unsurprising that those who profited from the illicit trade would resort to campaigns of blackmail and misinformation to undermine their work.
Alake stressed that the Federal Government’s backing for the Mining Marshals remains firm and unconditional, with a commitment to continue providing the resources, logistics, and institutional support needed for the unit to carry out its mandate effectively.
He declared that anyone whether in uniform or a civilian who attempts to frustrate the work of the Mining Marshals would be treated as an economic saboteur, a consequence he said he could personally guarantee.
The minister described the deployment of the eight new gun trucks as part of a continuous effort to boost the unit’s operational capacity, enabling faster responses to threats, more effective dismantling of illegal mining sites, and better protection of strategic mineral assets nationwide.
Alake reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to positioning the solid minerals sector as a major driver of economic diversification, stressing that the government will not ease up in its determination to eliminate illegal mining and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral wealth translates into tangible benefits for all citizens.
He called on stakeholders, traditional institutions, host communities, and other security agencies to continue supporting the Mining Marshals in their mission to restore order, transparency, and accountability to the sector.
He further emphasised that safeguarding the nation’s mineral resources is a shared responsibility, warning that those found assisting or enabling illegal mining in any form will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
