Abuja: Mr Attah Onoja, Commander of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, announced that revenue from the mining sector increased from N6 billion to over N38 billion within one year of the unit’s establishment. Onoja stated that the Mining Marshals, created to tackle illegal mining, have made progress in cleaning up the sector. He shared these insights at a media parley and workshop organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, on Wednesday in Abuja. The workshop was themed ‘The Fight Against Illegal Mining: Role of the Media’.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onoja emphasized that the efforts of the mining marshals in addressing illegal mining activities across the country have resulted in a significant rise in revenues from the mining sector. He urged the media to join the fight against illegal mining and warned against biased or compromised reporting. Onoja accused illegal mining cartels of sponsoring ‘rogue journalism’ to undermine enforcement efforts.
Onoja stated, “We will not cave to any blackmail designed to weaken our resolve. Illegal mining cannot be defeated by enforcement agencies alone, and this is why we are calling on the media to be partners in this fight.” He highlighted the achievements of the marshals, an enforcement arm of the NSCDC, in dismantling illegal camps, prosecuting offenders, and restoring order in volatile mining corridors since their creation under the Tinubu administration.
Mr Ajao Adewale, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, revealed that illegal mining has become a powerful cartel-driven enterprise bankrolled by influential Nigerians, costing the country an estimated $9 billion (N13.7 trillion) annually. He described illegal mining as one of Nigeria’s most dangerous national security threats, citing the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), which reported similar losses due to illegal mining and gold smuggling.
Adewale identified Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Osun, and parts of the FCT as hotspots of illegal mining and mentioned that over 72 suspects had been arrested in Abuja alone between 2023 and 2024. He stressed the need for collaboration between security agencies and the media to combat the thriving cartels.
Mr Dele Ayanleke, National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria, warned that illegal mining is sustained by corruption, poverty, and weak governance. He highlighted severe consequences such as child labour and environmental degradation, urging sustained media attention to dismantle these cartels.
Grace Ike, Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, encouraged journalists to go beyond ordinary reporting by conducting investigative journalism that exposes financiers, amplifies community voices, and pressures policymakers. She assured that the NUJ would continue to amplify the voices of affected communities and ensure their stories are heard nationwide.