The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its clampdown on illegal mining activities as its specialized unit, the Mining Marshals, shut down an unauthorized mining site in Damau community, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The operation, which targeted a site rich in tin deposits legally licensed to Trobell Minerals Limited, was carried out without the use of force. According to NSCDC authorities, the enforcement was guided by a non-kinetic strategy that prioritised community engagement and dialogue over confrontation.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Alaba Balogun, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the illegal operators were peacefully evacuated after extensive consultation with local leaders, including traditional rulers and youth representatives in the affected community.
The Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Chief Superintendent Attah John Onoja, who led the operation, stated that the non-kinetic approach was deliberately adopted to minimize resistance and foster trust between law enforcement and local stakeholders. He explained that the illicit activity at the site posed not only a threat to national revenue but also contributed to environmental degradation and insecurity in the area.
In his reaction, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, commended the Marshals for their professionalism and strategic enforcement methods. He noted that the peaceful recovery of the site demonstrates the success of the non-kinetic approach, which aligns with the federal government’s broader goal of sanitising the mining sector and creating a conducive environment for legitimate investors.
The NSCDC Mining Marshals were inaugurated in 2024 as part of the government’s effort to curb illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s solid mineral resources. Since their launch, the unit has recorded substantial success, including the arrest of over 300 illegal miners and the recovery of nearly 100 illicit mining sites across the country.
Authorities say the Corps will continue to deploy both intelligence-led enforcement and diplomatic engagement to reclaim illegal sites while ensuring that host communities are not alienated in the process.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy through the development of the solid minerals sector, the NSCDC affirmed its readiness to play a central role in safeguarding the industry against economic sabotage.
