The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have sealed an illegal quarry site in Kuje Area Council, Abuja, arresting 13 suspects who have been charged to court and await formal arraignment.
Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah Onoja, Commander of the Mining Marshals, said the suspects worked for a company unlawfully exploiting a quarry lease belonging to another licensed mining firm for over seven months.
“This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector. We will not allow any individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive legitimate operators of their lawful rights,” ACC Onoja said.
He warned all operators to comply with mining and environmental laws or face prosecution.
“Let this serve as a warning to all illegal operators. The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all violators, no matter how remote or discreet their operations may be,” he added.
ACC Onoja explained the closure responds to growing concerns about a surge in unlicensed and unregulated mining activities, especially in remote and peri-urban areas where enforcement has been weak.
He noted the site operated without required documentation, safety measures, or environmental protections, posing serious risks to the environment and public safety.
The Mining Marshals, a specialised NSCDC unit recently established, aim to combat illegal mining, a problem that causes revenue losses, environmental damage, and community disputes across Nigeria.
The unit enforces mining regulations to ensure all operations comply fully with the law.
PIAK