“In the illegal mining area, we set up the Mining Marshals. When I got in here, I discovered we needed a new security architecture specifically for the mining sector. I sought the permission of Mr. President to set up Mining Marshals, and they’ve been doing a good job arresting and prosecuting illegal miners…”- Alake
By Olawale Lamina
As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s Minerals sector, the Federal Government has joined forces with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, to combat criminal and terror financing related to the nation’s mineral resources.
The partnership agreement was disclosed when UNODC’s Project Co-ordinator on Counter-terrorism, Mr. Tom Parker, led a delegation to a meeting with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake in Abuja
Parker extended warm appreciation to the Minister for the establishment of the Mining Marshals, apart from other means introduced to counter illegal mining in the country.
He assured that UNODC will collaborate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to implement the project.
In his address, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Alake expressed appreciation for the significant outcomes that the project would yield in boosting the federal government’s determined efforts to combat illegal mining and associated crimes funded by proceeds of illicit mining of natural resources in the country.
Alake told the delegation that the Mining Marshals were created out of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, as a way of overcoming the constitutional burden of creating a new security outfit.
The minister explained that, “In the illegal mining area, we set up the Mining Marshals. When I got in here, I discovered we needed a new security architecture specifically for the mining sector. I sought the permission of Mr. President to set up Mining Marshals, and they’ve been doing a good job arresting and prosecuting illegal miners” Alake stressed.
“The essence is to send a strong message that it can’t be business as usual. And it is yielding salutary effects. A lot of operators are trying to regularise their operations and are obeying the mining laws, “he said.
Dr. Alake also informed the UNODC delegation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given approval of a new satellite monitoring system specifically for mines, as a measure to stem the tide of malpractices.
He said that this will enable the security operatives identify the location of such incident and help deploy forces to the site in order to counter illegal activities.
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