The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps has handed over its newly commissioned Commandant General’s Mining Marshal to the ministry of Solid Minerals Development in an effort to end illegal mining operations throughout the country.
The 60-member Commandant Marshal code named ‘Operation Hayakinkoko’ is aimed at smoke out all illegal miners believed to be responsible for loss of huge national revenue from mining that is supposed to accrue from the sector and their alleged involvement in fueling insecurity in some areas of their operations.
Handing over the Marshals to Solids Minerals Ministry, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Interior Minister, said the squad will end illegal mining activities soon.
Represented by the Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, the minister said the Corps had made unprecedented arrests of illegal miners including foreign nationals from China.
The minister said the 60-member Mining Marshal, also known as starter group has membership drawn across state commands based on credibility, and trained for effective service delivery, adding that it is to be replicated in all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory.
On his part, Commandant General of NSCDC, assured the minister of bringing activities of illegal miners to an end and hinted that already, the Corps discretely has record of illegal mining sites in the country.
Earlier, Mr. Henry Dele Alake, expressed delight on the quick response of the NSCDC by making available its personnel who are trained to address the menace of insecurity and ensure that only registered operators exist in the mining industry.
The Minister said the expectation of the present government is for solid minerals to contribute over 50 per cent of the nation’s revenue and decried nefarious activities of illegal mining which must be kept in check.
