Nigeria's Mining Marshals have carried out a coordinated enforcement and compliance operation across several locations in Nasarawa State, targeting illegal mining activities and verifying that licenced mineral title holders are working within their approved boundaries. The operation, which took place on September 24, 2026, was triggered by complaints of unlawful mineral exploitation in the state.
Multi-Agency Operation in Nasarawa
The Mining Marshals, a Federal Government initiative established to bring order to the solid minerals sector, deployed a combined team that included officials from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force personnel, and local community security stakeholders. The operation was conducted in line with established Standard Operating Procedures, according to the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja.
Onoja stated that the exercise aimed to institutionalise lawful mining practices across Nigeria's mineral-rich communities and enforce regulatory compliance. He noted that the operation draws its legal authority from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2007, as amended. Beyond making arrests, officials set out to confirm that legitimate operators are not straying outside their designated coordinates, a move aimed at protecting mining assets and preventing resource theft.
Illegal Mining as a Security Threat
The operation reflects a deliberate shift in government thinking, treating illegal mining not just as an economic offence but as a national security matter with consequences for environmental sustainability, community stability, government revenue, and investor confidence. By drawing together multiple security and regulatory agencies, authorities say they are building stronger intelligence-sharing arrangements and improving their ability to detect and break up illegal mining networks.
Onoja added that the Mining Marshals remain committed to enforcing mining laws and protecting the country's mineral resources, consistent with the policy direction of the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
Broader Push to Formalise Mining Sector
Industry observers have described the continued deployment of the Mining Marshals as a key part of the Federal Government's wider push to formalise the mining sector, protect licenced operators, attract responsible investment, and grow the contribution of solid minerals to Nigeria's economic diversification goals.
The operation in Nasarawa State is part of ongoing efforts to enforce mining laws and protect Nigeria's mineral resources, with authorities emphasising the importance of compliance and the prevention of resource theft.
