FG deploys mining marshals for intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring

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The Federal Government has deployed Mining Marshals for intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring and operational oversight in the solid minerals sector.

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This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commander of Mining Marshals Operations and Assistant Commandant of Corps, Attah Onoja.

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Onoja stated that the deployment is part of efforts to strengthen enforcement against illegal mining activities.

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“The Mining Marshals are now participating in investigations, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring and fact-finding missions conducted by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

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“As part of the initiative, the Mining Marshals recently joined ministry officials on operational visits to mining sites in Nasarawa and Plateau states.

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“The operations were carried out under the leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake,” the statement read.

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The statement said that the operations were aimed at strengthening monitoring, regulatory compliance and operational oversight within the sector.

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It read, “The team was led on different occasions by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, who represented the minister during the field engagements.

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“During one of the operational and fact-finding missions, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, accompanied ministry officials to a mining site allegedly being illegally exploited.

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“The visit was part of efforts to verify allegations of unlawful mining activities, assess compliance with extant mining regulations and obtain field-based information necessary for administrative, regulatory and possible enforcement actions.”

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“The delegation also included senior ministry officials such as Engr. Frank Odoom, Director of Special Duties; Engr. Imam A. Ganiyu, Director of Mines Inspectorate; Andrew Zubiri, Director of Legal Services; and Ibrahim Abdulmajeed J., representing the Director General of the Mining Cadastre Office.”

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According to the statement, the engagements created an important feedback mechanism between government authorities and mining communities.

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It added that the engagements enabled concerns relating to illegal mining, environmental practices, security challenges and regulatory compliance to be communicated directly to authorities.

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It further stated that the Mining Marshals have continued to support the ministry’s operations through “intelligence support, operational collaboration and inter-agency coordination across mining communities nationwide.”

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