NSCDC Accuses Police of Aiding Illegal Miners in Nasarawa State.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised serious allegations against the Nigeria Police Force, accusing them of colluding with illegal miners in Nasarawa State. In a petition submitted to the Senate, the NSCDC claims that certain police officers have been providing protection to unauthorized mining operations, thereby undermining efforts to regulate the sector and combat economic sabotage.
This development comes amid heightened tensions between security agencies over jurisdictional authority in the fight against illegal mining. The NSCDC, through its Mining Marshals unit, has been actively involved in cracking down on illicit mining activities. In October 2024, the corps arrested three foreign nationals and two locals for illegal mining operations in Nasarawa State. The suspects were reportedly mining minerals such as fluorite, zinc, lead, and tin without valid permits, causing significant revenue losses to the federal government.
In response to the growing menace of illegal mining, the Senate has been deliberating on a bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS), a specialized security outfit aimed at curbing illegal mining activities. However, this proposal has faced opposition from various quarters, including the NSCDC and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. Critics argue that creating a new agency would lead to duplication of functions and recommend strengthening existing bodies like the NSCDC instead.
Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Government Affairs, has advocated for empowering the NSCDC with the necessary resources and legal backing to effectively tackle illegal mining. He emphasized that enhancing the capabilities of the NSCDC would be more efficient than establishing a new agency.
The allegations by the NSCDC against the police have intensified the debate on how best to address the challenges posed by illegal mining in Nigeria. As the Senate continues its deliberations, stakeholders are calling for a collaborative approach that leverages existing security structures to safeguard the nation’s mineral resources.
*Source: Sahara Reporters*
