By Editor
The Federal Government’s renewed push to sanitize Nigeria’s extractive sector has recorded a major win. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, through its specialized Mining Marshals unit, announced the arrest of 671 suspected illegal miners in a nationwide crackdown.
The arrests were disclosed on Monday in Abuja by ACC Attah Onoja, Commander of the Mining Marshals, who represented NSCDC Commandant-General Dr. Ahmed Audi at a stakeholders’ workshop on extractive industry governance.
Of the 671 suspects picked up across the country, 397 have already been arraigned in court as authorities move to send a strong message to economic saboteurs.
Onoja said the Marshals, set up by the FG in 2024, have dismantled several illegal mining sites, closed unlawful operations, confiscated equipment, and restored affected areas to licensed operators.
In a separate June 12, 2026 operation in Kontagora, Niger State, seven illegal mineral buying and processing centers were also sealed, with four suspects arrested.
The crackdown is already reflecting in government coffers. Citing figures from the Solid Minerals Development Fund,
Onoja noted that revenue from the sector grew by 337% between 2023 and June 2026 — rising from about ₦6 billion to over ₦70 billion.
He linked the growth to ongoing reforms, improved regulation, and increased investor confidence following the intensified enforcement.
Despite the gains, the NSCDC boss admitted the fight isn’t without hurdles. He listed inadequate logistics, limited manpower, delays in the judicial process, and interference by criminal syndicates as major obstacles. To address this, he called for increased funding, better surveillance capabilities, and the establishment of designated courts to expedite mining-related prosecutions.
The Commandant-General warned that acts of economic sabotage would not be treated lightly, describing them as serious threats to national security.
He directed the intelligence squad to intensify investigations, identify sponsors of the crimes, and ensure all suspects at large are apprehended and prosecuted. Labor leaders also weighed in — President of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers, Hamza Muhammad, urged government to enforce policies requiring minerals to be processed locally before export to create jobs and industrialize.
With the Mining Marshals vowing to sustain operations, the FG appears set to keep pressure on illegal operators.
Onoja said the achievements were driven by professionalism, inter-agency cooperation, and continued FG support. As enforcement continues nationwide, the message to illegal miners is clear: the days of operating in the shadows are numbered.
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