The Commandant‑General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has warned that the surge in illegal mining across Nigeria is evolving from a purely economic crime into a serious security threat. Speaking at the NSCDC headquarters on Friday during a visit by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) officials and Canadian donor representatives, the commander of the Mining Marshals Corps, Attah Onoja, reiterated the need for coordinated, intelligence‑driven action against those who “desist from acts capable of bringing them regret.”
Onoja, who represented the Commandant‑General, said illegal mining now “poses a major national security threat” that demands a unified response from law‑enforcement agencies. He highlighted the recent partnership with UNODC and the Government of Canada, which funds the project “Strengthening Nigeria’s Response to Criminal and Terrorist Finance related to Minerals.” According to the corps, the collaboration has bolstered the operational and investigative capacity of officers tasked with tackling mineral‑related crimes.
The Mining Marshals Corps was created to safeguard Nigeria’s mineral wealth and enforce mining legislation. Its specialised units handle intelligence gathering, field operations, legal services, enforcement and community engagement. “Our mandate includes protecting the nation’s mineral resources, preventing illegal mining and prosecuting offenders involved in illegal mineral exploitation,” Onoja said.
The NSCDC‑UNODC partnership began in 2025 through training programmes and consultations supported by Global Affairs Canada. In November 2025, 21 officers completed a terrorism‑financing investigations course, which Onoja described as “critical to improving investigations into organised crime, terrorism financing and illegal mining activities.” Since then, specialised units have been deployed to illegal mining hotspots in the North‑West and North‑Central regions. Joint operations with other security agencies have already led to the dismantling of several illegal mining camps and the arrest of multiple suspects.
The command’s message underscores a shift in policy focus: illegal mining is no longer viewed solely as an economic loss but as a conduit for organised crime and potential terrorist financing. By strengthening intelligence capabilities and fostering international cooperation, Nigeria aims to protect its mineral resources and curb the broader security implications of illicit extraction.
The next steps involve expanding the deployment of Mining Marshals Corps units to additional high‑risk areas and deepening collaboration with regional and international partners to trace revenue streams linked to illegal mining. The outcome of these efforts will be watched closely, as they have implications for Nigeria’s economic stability, environmental protection and national security.
