The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has awarded the Transformational Leadership Award to John Onoja Attah, Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, at the inaugural Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026 held in Abuja. The minister lauded Onoja's efforts in tackling illegal mining and protecting Nigeria's mineral resources, describing his work as a major contribution to the sector.
Recognition at WINSEC 2026 Summit
The award was presented on behalf of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) during the summit, which brought together security stakeholders, government officials, and development partners. Suleiman-Ibrahim highlighted Onoja's leadership in restoring order to the solid minerals sector and reinforcing the crackdown on illegal mining activities across the country.
She recalled being present at the ceremony marking Onoja's inauguration as the pioneer commander of the Mining Marshals, noting that his performance has exceeded expectations. The minister's remarks underscored the significance of the award in recognizing exemplary service in security and national development.
Minister's Praise and Onoja's Dedication
"Your patriotism is legendary. Your contributions have been sparkling and have provided a huge boost to Nigeria's mineral sector," Suleiman-Ibrahim said. "It gladdens my heart that your exploits have been rewarding, encouraging and sparkling. Thank you for bringing sanity to the mining sector."
In his acceptance speech, Onoja credited NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi for providing the vision that made the Mining Marshals possible. He described the recognition as a reflection of the dedication shown by the officers and men of the unit, rather than a personal achievement, emphasizing the collective effort behind the unit's successes.
Plans to Integrate Women into Mining Marshals
Onoja also announced that the Mining Marshals would soon open its ranks to female NSCDC personnel. This move, he said, aims to strengthen the unit's operational capacity and align with the corps' commitment to gender inclusion within modern security structures. Expanding opportunities for women in the task force is expected to improve the protection of Nigeria's mining sector.
The announcement was well-received by attendees, who saw it as a progressive step toward gender equality in security operations. The integration is part of broader efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the Mining Marshals in combating illegal mining and securing the nation's mineral wealth.
Summit Highlights and Other Recognitions
The WINSEC 2026 summit drew the first ladies of Borno, Yobe, and Bauchi states, alongside serving and retired security chiefs, government officials, and development partners. Former Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba was also honored at the event for his contributions to security, peacebuilding, and national development.
Participants at the summit noted that Onoja's award reflects the growing reach and impact of the Mining Marshals in addressing illegal mining and securing Nigeria's mineral resources. The recognition underscores the importance of dedicated leadership in tackling security challenges in the mining sector.
NSCDC Clears Mining Marshals Commander of Allegations
In a related development, the NSCDC has cleared Onoja of allegations that he was involved in diverting N2 billion and covering up the death of a fellow operative. NSCDC Commandant-General Ahmed Audi, represented by corps spokesperson Babawale Afolabi at a Wednesday, August 5, event in Abuja, stated that thorough investigations found no evidence implicating Onoja or the Mining Marshals management team in either allegation.
The clearance reinforces the integrity of the Mining Marshals leadership and its commitment to transparency and accountability. The NSCDC's statement aims to dispel any doubts about the unit's operations and its commander's conduct, ensuring public confidence in the fight against illegal mining.
