The Mining Marshal of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in its determination to rid the mining sector of criminal elements, has made another giant stride with the dismantling of a major illegal mining syndicate operating in the Odiagbo-Okaba district of Ankpa Local Government area of Kogi State..
It will be recalled that the NSCDC Mining Marshal is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Solid Minerals and Development development and Interior through the NSCDC with a mandate to enforce mining laws and regulations , combating illegal mining and protecting Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.
The recent crackdown in Kogi which was led by the Assistant Commandant of Corps ( ACC) John Onoja Attah, resulted in the arrest of 17 suspects, with three truck impounded and 39 motor bikes used for the illicit business confiscated.
The raid, it was gathered, was a result of complaints from local residents over environmental degradation and public health threats allegedly linked to the illegal and unregulated mining activities.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, has continued to reiterate the Corps’ readiness to take on all the criminal elements feeding on the country’s critical national assets.
The recent massive clearance of the illegal miners comes on the heels of the Kogi State government’s push for a cleaner mining sector and the need to preserve fragile ecosystems and protect host communities.
