ABUJA – The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have shut down an illegal quarrying site operating within the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Thirteen suspects have been apprehended in connection with the unlawful activities and have been charged in court, pending formal arraignment.
The operation, which was carried out as part of ongoing national efforts to sanitise the mining sector and protect critical national assets, marks another decisive step in the government’s crackdown on illegal mining across the country.
According to the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, in a statement on Thursday, said the suspects were found to be working for a company which had allegedly occupied and exploited a quarry lease belonging to another licensed mining company for over seven months without legal backing.
The statement quoted Onoja as saying, “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.”
The Mining Marshals, a specialised unit of the NSCDC, were recently commissioned to tackle the widespread issue of illegal mining in Nigeria — a menace that has contributed to revenue loss, environmental degradation, and community conflict in various parts of the country.
The unit has also been tasked with enforcing compliance with mining regulations and ensuring that all mining activities across the federation are conducted within the bounds of the law.
The Mining Marshals are motivated by the tacit guidelines of the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose strategic leadership continues to guide the Corps’ operations in curbing illegalities across critical national sectors.
The shutdown of the Kuje site comes amid rising concerns over the growing number of unlicensed and unregulated mining operations, particularly in remote or peri-urban areas where enforcement has been traditionally weak. The site in question had been operating without proper documentation, safety protocols, or environmental safeguards, thereby posing a threat to both the environment and public safety.
Speaking further, Onoja warned all mining operators to ensure full compliance with existing mining and environmental laws or risk facing the full weight of the law.
“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 said.
The 13 suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court in the coming days as investigations continue.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to restoring order, transparency, and accountability to Nigeria’s mining landscape as part of the broader national agenda to diversify the economy and enhance internal security.