FG commissions 2,200 mines marshals to curb illegal mining

The Federal Government has commissioned a 2,200-strong Mines Marshal to smoke out illegal miners and flouters of Nigeria’s mining laws.

The development of the new security architecture aligns with the 7-point agenda of Mr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development.secure Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The minister made this known via his official X handle late Thursday.

Persecondnews recalls that, as a result of the efforts of the presidential inter-ministerial committee on securing natural resources chaired by Mr. Alake, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Ojo, launched the NSCDC-led mines marshal a few weeks ago, which represents the first layer of the new security architecture to secure the mining environment.

Alake said: “In fulfilment of a major plank of my 7-point agenda to create a new security architecture to secure mining sites, we unveiled a 2,200-strong Mines Marshal to smoke out illegal miners and all those who flout our nation’s mining laws.

“I formally received the marshals drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and charged them to stem theft and all nefarious activities around our mineral resources to ensure we reap maximum benefits from our God-given resources.

“The Mines Marshal, as part of the new security architecture, will have their command and control domiciled in the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD), with an initial 60 operatives deployed in each state and the FCT.

“I commend my interior counterpart, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for working tirelessly with my ministry to achieve this feat, and I am pleased to launch the first batch of this security apparatus today.

“The Mines Marshal, an inter-agency security outfit, will also include special operatives from other security agencies and will operate with a focus on technological advancements.”