NSCDC seals seven illegal mineral‑buying centers in Niger.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals sealed seven suspected illegal mineral buying and processing centres in Kontagora, Niger State, after investigations revealed possible breaches of Nigeria’s mining laws and mineral trading regulations.

According to a press statement issued by Mining Marshals Commander John Attah Onoja, the operation, conducted on 12 June 2026, resulted in the closure of the companies 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals & Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited, and another mineral buying facility operating in the area.

Four suspects connected to some of the companies were also arrested.

The statement explained that preliminary investigations, based on credible intelligence, indicated that several companies were operating mineral buying centres without the necessary approvals and were allegedly procuring strategic minerals from unverified sources, thereby violating the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations of 2011.

Investigators found that representatives of some companies admitted purchasing Monazite from suppliers who presented only state or local government revenue receipts, without providing valid mining leases, Small‑Scale Mining Leases (SSML), Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals (LPPM), Mineral Buying Centre Licences, or other statutory documents required by law.

Statements from officials of AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited and 17 Mines & Minerals Limited revealed that the companies routinely bought minerals without verifying the legal authority of suppliers to mine, possess or sell them, raising concerns about the integrity of the mineral supply chain.

Investigators also established that no documentary evidence was produced to show that the affected companies possessed valid Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals or Mineral Buying Centre Licences authorising them to procure minerals from third parties. The report recommended further verification of permits and approvals claimed by some firms with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other regulatory agencies.

The report concluded that there was prima facie evidence of regulatory non‑compliance and reasonable suspicion that minerals processed by some companies may have originated from illegal mining operations. It recommended comprehensive verification of licences, investigation of identified suppliers, legal review of the findings, and prosecution where criminal conduct is established. It also proposed the forfeiture of all minerals recovered during the operation to the Federal Government in accordance with existing laws.

Preliminary valuation of the seized minerals—Monazite, Iron Ore, and Zircon—found across the affected facilities indicated that they were worth several million naira.

Confirming the operation, Commander ACC John Attah Onoja said the crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector, dismantle illegal mineral trading networks, and ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s mining laws.

He added, “Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal miners won’t exist.”