As parts of its efforts to combat illegal mining in Nigeria, the Federal Government has deployed an additional 350 operatives to the Mining Marshals to bolster their ranks.
These additional operatives, according to a press release signed by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, were inducted into the Mining Marshals yesterday following a Passing out parade for the new operatives at the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Abuja.
Speaking at the Passing Out Parade for the new operatives, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Mary Ogbe stated that the additional deployment underscores the federal government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector.
The Minister lauded his Interior counterpart, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their collaboration in combating illegal mining in the country. He went on to highlight the successes recorded by the mining Marshals so far including the arrest of over 200 illegal mining suspects with 133 prosecutions underway. The Minister added that the Mining Marshals have equally confiscated illegally mined minerals which were forfeited to the federal government.
According to the minister, the efforts of the Mining Marshals have significantly reduced illegal mineral haulage and the activities of unlicensed operators nationwide.
“Today’s Passing Out Parade of the second batch will further increase our numbers, ensuring wider coverage and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the squad”, Alake said.
“As we integrate and improve collaboration between mining marshals and Federal Mines Officers (FMO) across the country, we aim to intensify sector sanitization and boost investor confidence, leading to increased investments and development in the mining industry”, he concluded.
In his remarks, the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Abubakar Audi revealed that the new operatives underwent an intensive 8-week training program, preparing them to strengthen the mining marshals’ operations and intensify efforts against illegal miners nationwide.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on his part while addressing the newly inducted marshals, emphasized that the mining marshals are a product of successful collaboration between the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Ministry of Interior.
He highlighted the need for continued training and deployment to ensure comprehensive coverage of the country’s vast mining areas and to maximize the benefits derived from solid minerals.
“The progress made so far exemplifies effective collaboration. With this second batch, we have more personnel on the ground, but we must continue training and deploying to protect our mining areas and ensure our nation reaps the full benefits of its solid minerals, for economic development ” Dr. Tunji-Ojo added.
The induction of the new operatives brings the total number of specially trained and kitted mining marshals deployed nationwide to 2,570.
