The Nigerian Government has announced plans to strengthen the firepower of Mining Marshals following the recent killing of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer during an anti- illegal mining operation in Niger State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, reacting to the incident, gave the assurance that additional weapons and operational equipment were being deployed to boost the capacity of the Mining Marshals in combating illegal mining activities nationwide.
He described the slain officer as gallant and declared that security agencies have been placed on red alert to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“The illegal miners responsible for the murder of the gallant officer in active service will face the full wrath of the law. Their arrest and prosecution will reinforce this administration’s zero tolerance for illegal mining and its commitment to protecting its personnel,” the minister said.
Dr. Alake stressed that the killing of the officer and the burning of the agency’s vehicle would not deter the government’s resolve to sanitise the mining sector.
According to him, the Mining Marshals, a special NSCDC unit created to enforce mining regulations remain central to efforts to protect legitimate operators and host communities.
Dr. Alake added that strong investor interest in Nigeria’s mining sector, highlighted at the ongoing Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, underscores the need to sustain confidence by decisively confronting violent and illegal actors.
The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, confirmed that the officer was killed and an operational vehicle set ablaze when suspected illegal miners attacked a joint patrol team at Zuzungi in the Kataeregi area of Katcha Local Government Area.
Deputy Superintendent of Corps, Rabiu Muti said the incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on February 11, as the patrol team attempted to intercept individuals allegedly smuggling illegally mined minerals from the area.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible.