Nigeria inaugurates 350 additional Mining Marshals to boost security in minerals sector

*Dr. Oladele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals Development, says improved collaboration between Mining Marshals and Federal Mines Officers across Nigeria will intensify sector sanitisation and boost investor confidence leading to increased investments and development of the mining industry in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Dr. Oladele Alake, Honourable Minister for Solid Minerals Development, has affirmed that the deployment of 350 additional operatives as Mining Marshals underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to reforming the mining sector of the economy.

Speaking at the Passing Out Parade for the new operatives at the NSCDC Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT, Dr. Alake, represented by Dr. Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, applauded Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Honourable Minister for Interior, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their collaboration in combating illegal mining in the industry.

Some of the new operatives during the Passing Out Parade

Segun Tomori, Special Assistant the Minister on Media, who disclosed this development in a statement Friday, June 4, 2024, said Dr. Alake, while highlighting the successes recorded by the Mining Marshals, further noted that their efforts have significantly reduced illegal mineral haulage and the activities of unlicensed operators nationwide.

It is recalled that since the inauguration of the first batch of 2,220 mining marshals, over 200 illegal mining suspects have been arrested, with 133 prosecutions underway, and confiscated illegally mined minerals, forfeited to the Federal Government, said the Minister.

The Minister further stated: “Today’s (Friday’s) Passing Out Parade of the second batch will further increase our numbers, ensuring wider coverage and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the squad.

“As we integrate and improve collaboration between Mining Marshals and Federal Mines Officers (FMO) across the country, we aim to intensify sector sanitisation and boost investor confidence, leading to increased investments and development in the mining industry.”

In his remarks on the occasion, Dr. Abubakar Audi, Commandant-General of NSCDC, as well disclosed that the new operatives underwent an intensive 8-week training programme, which he noted had prepared them to strengthen the Mining Marshals’ operations and intensify efforts against illegal miners nationwide.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo, Minister for Interior, when addressing the newly inducted marshals, emphasised that the Mining Marshals are a product of successful collaboration between his Ministry and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

He highlighted the need for continued training and deployment to ensure comprehensive coverage of the country’s vast mining areas, and to maximise 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 said.

The statement added the induction of the new operatives brought the total number of specially trained and kitted Mining Marshals deployed nationwide to 2,570.