The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has formally handed over the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) Commandant General’s Mining Marshal, which was newly commissioned, to ensure adequate security in the mining industry. He handed the squad over to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, expressing optimism that the squad will end illegal mining activities soon.
Represented by the Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the minister noted with satisfaction that the Corps had made unprecedented arrests of illegal miners including foreign nationals from China.
In a statement signed by the National PRO NSCDC National Headquarters Abuja, CSC Babawale Zaid Afolabi, the squad code-named Operation Hayakinkoko, is to smoke out all illegal miners who are responsible for the loss of huge national revenue.
According to him, the 60-member Mining Marshals, were presented the the Minister of Solid Minerals Development with membership drawn across all state commands based on credibility.
On his part, the Commandant-General assured the minister of bringing the activities of illegal miners to an end and hinted that already, the Corps discretely has a record of illegal mining sites in the country.
Also in a welcome address, Mr. Dele Alake, expressed delight at the quick response of the NSCDC and in making available its personnel to address the menace.
Alake who described the presentation/handing over of Mining Marshal to his ministry as symbolic and epitome of all that had been discussed at the inter-ministerial committee set up by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, applauded the Corps for bringing his ministry’s plan to fruition.
On assumption of duty in the ministry, he revealed part of his 7-point agenda in line with the renewed hope of Mr President was to create Mines Police to address insecurity in the sector, and expressed delight with the provision made by NSCDC irrespective of the nomenclature.
In response to the above, he maintained an inter-ministerial committee comprising ministries of Mining and solid minerals, Blue Economy, Interior and Police Affairs to fashion out ways to sanitise the industry and since then, members of the committee had worked relentlessly noting that the Marshal formed by the NSCDC and subsequent interventions by other agencies are all efforts in addressing challenges in the mining sector.
Other highlights of the event were the presentation of goodwill by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Mining, Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi who assured the Ministry and stakeholders of the National Assembly’s support.
