Ignorance Is No Excuse As Mining Marshals Hunt Illegal Operators Nationwide

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has issued a stern warning to mining operators across the country: obey the law or face prosecution.

The warning came on Monday from the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Attah, just days after the specialised unit ramped up nationwide enforcement operations to sanitize Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

In a statement released in Abuja, Attah said the Marshals, especially operational teams in the South-West, have already recorded progress in forcing mining activities to align with existing laws and regulations.

But he cautioned that the clampdown was only getting started.

“Ignorance of the law will never be an excuse. Every operator must ensure that mining activities are conducted within the ambit of the law,” Attah declared.

“Those who choose to operate outside the regulatory framework will face the full weight of legal consequences.”

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According to the NSCDC, the renewed push is targeting more than just illegal miners. The goal is to protect legitimate investors, boost government revenue, and restore investor confidence in a sector plagued by years of regulatory breaches and economic sabotage.

The Corps said compliance is key to ensuring Nigeria’s mineral resources are exploited “safely, sustainably and in a manner that benefits the national economy.”

Illegal mining has remained a major drain on the sector, fueling revenue losses, environmental destruction, and the exploitation of resources outside government oversight.

Nigeria sits on vast deposits of commercially viable minerals including gold, lithium, limestone, coal, bitumen and tin. Yet the sector continues to operate far below its potential due to illegal mining, insecurity, weak regulation and unlicensed operators.

The Federal Government is now positioning solid minerals as a critical pillar of its economic diversification agenda to reduce dependence on crude oil.

The latest NSCDC operations align directly with the reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which has vowed to attract investment, strengthen regulation, and crush illegal exploitation.

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The Ministry has repeatedly stressed that licensing compliance and stronger enforcement are non-negotiable if Nigeria wants to unlock the true value of its mineral wealth.