In a major crackdown on unauthorized mining activities, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), through its Mining Marshals unit, has sealed off an illegal quarry site operating in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 

Thirteen individuals were arrested during the operation and are now facing prosecution.

According to the commanding officer of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, the suspects had been conducting quarrying operations for over seven months on a lease area that did not belong to them. The site, he revealed, was under the legal license of another mining company. The arrested operators had no legitimate documentation or authorization to mine the area.

The operation is part of a wider national initiative aimed at curbing illegal mining, which continues to pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s environment, security, and economic stability. 

The illegal occupation of mining sites not only undermines lawful investors but also results in significant revenue losses for the government and accelerates land degradation.

ACC Onoja emphasized that the NSCDC, under the directive of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, remains committed to enforcing mining laws across the country. 

He also confirmed that legal proceedings have commenced against the suspects, as the government seeks to use this case to deter others from engaging in similar acts.

The crackdown in Kuje reflects broader efforts by the Mining Marshals since their formation. In their first year of operation, they have arrested 327 suspects for illegal mining, recovered 98 illegally occupied mining sites, and identified over 450 suspected illegal sites nationwide.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has consistently reiterated the federal government’s resolve to clean up the mining sector and restore order to one of Nigeria’s most vital but vulnerable industries. According to the minister, the deployment of the Mining Marshals has already started yielding results, with several communities and licensed operators now regaining access to their sites without fear of encroachment or sabotage.

The NSCDC has called on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious mining activities, urging illegal operators to desist or face the full wrath of the law. 

As the government ramps up enforcement, the Abuja quarry bust serves as another signal that illegal mining in Nigeria is no longer being tolerated.