Mining Marshals have been assigned by the federal government to monitor compliance, collect intelligence, and oversee operations in the solid minerals industry.
Attah Onoja, the Assistant Commandant of Corps and Commander of Mining Marshals Operations, revealed this in a statement released on Tuesday.
According to Onoja, the deployment is a component of initiatives to bolster enforcement against illicit mining operations.
“The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is currently conducting investigations, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring, and fact-finding missions with the Mining Marshals.”
The Mining Marshals recently accompanied ministry representatives on operational visits to mining locations in the states of Plateau and Nasarawa as part of the project.
According to the announcement, “Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, led the operations.”
According to the statement, the operations were designed to improve operational control, regulatory compliance, and monitoring in the industry.
It stated, “Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, the ministry’s permanent secretary, led the team on various occasions and represented the minister during the field engagements.”
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, escorted ministry officials to a mining site that was reportedly being unlawfully exploited during one of the operational and fact-finding trips.
“The visit was a component of efforts to confirm claims of illegal mining operations, evaluate adherence to current mining regulations, and gather field-based data required for administrative, regulatory, and potential enforcement action.”
Senior government officials including Engr. were also part of the delegation. Director of Special Duties Frank Odoom; Director of Mines Inspectorate Engineer Imam A. Ganiyu; Director of Legal Services Andrew Zubiri; and Director General of the Mining Cadastre Office Ibrahim Abdulmajeed J.
The statement claims that the interactions established a crucial feedback system between mining communities and government authorities.
It further stated that the engagements made it possible to speak with officials directly about issues pertaining to illicit mining, environmental practices, security issues, and regulatory compliance.
It went on to say that the ministry’s efforts have been supported by the Mining Marshals through “intelligence support, operational collaboration, and inter-agency coordination across mining communities nationwide.”
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