FG appoints mining marshals to gather intelligence and monitor compliance

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

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

Onoja said the move forms part of broader efforts to strengthen enforcement against illegal mining activities.

“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.”

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

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

The statement added that the operations aim to improve monitoring, regulatory compliance and operational oversight within the sector.

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

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

The engagements enabled concerns related to illegal mining, environmental practices, security challenges and regulatory compliance to be communicated directly to the authorities.

The statement further noted that the Mining Marshals continue to support the ministry’s operations through “intelligence support, operational collaboration and inter‑agency coordination across mining communities nationwide.”