Nigeria’s mining sector has witnessed a remarkable surge in revenue, soaring from a modest N6 billion to over N38 billion within just one year following the establishment of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals. This significant growth was disclosed by Attah Onoja, the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, during a media parley and workshop organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council themed “The Fight Against Illegal Mining: Role of the Media.”
The Mining Marshals, established under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration by directive of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, have been instrumental in tackling illegal mining activities across the country. Their efforts include dismantling illegal mining camps, prosecuting offenders, and restoring law and order in volatile mining regions.
Commander Onoja stressed the importance of media partnership in the fight against illegal mining, cautioning against biased or compromised reporting. He warned that illegal mining cartels sponsor "rogue journalism" aimed at discrediting enforcement efforts. “Illegal mining cannot be defeated by enforcement agencies alone, and this is why we are calling on the media to be partners in this fight,” he remarked.
The increasing revenue, from N6 billion to N38 billion in just a year, highlights the effectiveness of the Mining Marshals in reducing illegal mining activities, which have long plagued Nigeria's mineral wealth.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, described illegal mining as a powerful cartel-driven enterprise bankrolled by influential Nigerians and costing the country an estimated $9 billion (₦13.7 trillion) annually. He described it as one of Nigeria's most dangerous national security threats, stressing that these criminal networks fuel insecurity, environmental degradation, and undermine lawful investment.
Adewale identified several national hotspots for illegal mining, including Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Kwara, Osun, and areas in FCT such as Gwagwalada and Asokoro. Over 72 suspects linked to illegal mining have been arrested in Abuja alone between 2023 and 2024.
Dele Ayanleke, National President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), echoed concerns about corruption, poverty, and weak governance sustaining illegal mining. He highlighted the severe social and environmental costs, from child labor in Nasarawa lithium fields to mercury poisoning in Zamfara gold sites.
The NUJ FCT Council chairman, Grace Ike, called for journalists to go beyond ordinary reportage by engaging in investigative journalism that exposes financiers, amplifies community voices, and pressures policymakers to act decisively. She emphasized the media's critical role in educating the public on the devastating effects of illegal mining, especially on communities and water resources.
Through balanced and accurate reporting, the media can shed light on the human and environmental costs of illegal mining, urging for regulatory oversight and environmental protections. The NUJ FCT pledges to continue championing and amplifying the voices of affected communities nationwide.