NSCDC Targets Illegal Mining to Combat Banditry and Terrorism

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), represented by Commander John Attah Onoja, has pledged to dismantle illegal mining cartels that fund banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in Nigeria. During a courtesy visit from the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) in Abuja, Onoja highlighted the need to disrupt the financial flow to criminal groups to weaken their operations.

He stated that illegal mining not only threatens the economy and environment but also serves as a funding source for criminal activities. The NSCDC has adopted intelligence-led operations for the identification, arrest, investigation, and prosecution of offenders.

Despite challenges such as limited manpower and logistics, the Corps aims to maintain a presence in mining communities. Onoja also pointed out the issue of compromised officials colluding with illegal miners, which hampers efforts to sanitize the sector.

He called for responsible media reporting to support the fight against illegal mining and emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving a sanitized mining sector.