As part of intensified efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s mining sector, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has sealed off an illegal quarrying site in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Thirteen suspects linked to the unlawful operation were arrested during the raid and have been charged to court. The operation was carried out by the Mining Marshals — a newly established specialised unit of the NSCDC tasked with combating illegal mining nationwide.
Acting on credible intelligence, the unit discovered that the quarry had been operating for over seven months without the required legal documentation, safety measures, or environmental safeguards.
According to the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, the suspects were working for a company accused of encroaching on a quarry lease lawfully owned by another licensed operator.
“This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector,” ACC Onoja said. “We will not allow any individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive legitimate operators of their rights.”
Authorities cited multiple breaches of mining and environmental regulations, stressing that the site posed serious risks to public safety and the environment. The enforcement aligns with directives from the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, who has prioritised protecting national assets and ensuring compliance across critical sectors.
ACC Onoja also issued a stern warning to other illegal operators:
“Let this serve as a warning. The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all violators, regardless of how remote or discreet their operations may be.”
The suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned in the coming days as investigations continue.
The clampdown comes amid mounting concerns over the proliferation of illegal mining operations in remote and peri-urban areas, where regulatory oversight has been historically weak. Officials say such enforcement drives are crucial to restoring order, boosting government revenue, and strengthening internal security.
