By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The National Unity and Peace Corps (NUPEC) and Nigeria Mines Ranger Services (NMRS) have called on the National Assembly to expedite action on legislation establishing a specialised Mines Rangers Service to strengthen the fight against illegal mining and associated criminal activities across the country.
The Commandant General of NUPEC/NMRS, Dr Chinedu S. Nneji, made the call on Monday in Abuja at a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 United Nations International Day of Peace.
The event, held at the NUPEC/NMRS Command Headquarters in Garki, Abuja, had as its theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
Nneji said the proposed Mines Rangers Service would strengthen the country’s capacity to protect mineral resources, mining communities and legitimate mining activities while supporting efforts to combat illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources.
He said the National Assembly had already considered the Nigeria Mines Rangers (Establishment) Bill, including Senate Bill 523, which he said had been passed by the Senate and transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
According to him, a properly regulated and professional Mines Rangers Service, operating in collaboration with existing security agencies and relevant government institutions, could improve regulatory compliance and assist in curbing illegal mining.
Nneji also said the service could contribute to protecting mining communities and Nigeria’s mineral resources while potentially increasing government revenue from lawful mining activities.
The Commandant General commiserated with the Federal Government over the deaths of 37 alleged illegal miners in Niger State, saying the incident underscored the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to address security challenges associated with mining activities.
He urged stakeholders in the legislative and executive arms of government to consider the objectives of the proposed legislation and support measures aimed at strengthening the responsible management and protection of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Nneji linked some security challenges in mining communities to competition over land and natural resources, illegal exploitation, environmental degradation and unemployment.
He said Nigeria’s vast deposits of liquid and solid minerals had created both economic opportunities and security challenges, particularly where illegal exploitation and criminal activities occurred.
“Peace and security require continuous investment, effective institutions, responsible resource management, economic empowerment, justice, community engagement and respect for the rule of law,” he said.
He said the challenges varied across regions, from the Niger Delta to the Sahel and other mineral-producing communities, but required coordinated and sustainable responses.
Nneji also called for a comprehensive approach to conflicts such as farmer-herder clashes, arguing that such conflicts could not be attributed to a single cause or resolved by one institution.
He advocated sustained dialogue, effective law enforcement, responsible land and natural-resource management, protection of livelihoods, justice and community-based peacebuilding.
The NUPEC/NMRS boss also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Mines Rangers legislation if and when it reaches his desk.
He expressed optimism that the establishment of the service would help reduce illegal mining and crimes associated with the sector while improving government revenue from the country’s mineral resources.
However, Nneji also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, urging the electorate to allow the administration to continue what he described as its ongoing work.
The political endorsement formed part of the broader address delivered at the International Day of Peace event.
Speaking on the significance of the global observance, Nneji said peace should not be regarded merely as the absence of war or violence but as the presence of justice, respect for human rights, security, dignity, cooperation and opportunity.
He urged Nigerians to make peace a daily commitment by investing in dialogue rather than confrontation, education rather than ignorance, opportunities rather than desperation, justice rather than impunity, and unity rather than division.
According to him, the 2026 International Day of Peace theme underscores the need for individuals, communities and governments to participate actively in building peaceful societies.
“Peace does not happen by accident. Peace must be deliberately built, protected and sustained,” he said.
Nneji said achieving lasting peace required responsible leadership, sacrifice, justice and the participation of citizens at all levels.
He called for continued efforts to build a Nigeria where citizens could live in safety, dignity and hope, stressing that effective management of the country’s natural resources and the prevention of conflicts around them were important components of national peace and stability.
