Edo Miners Accuse NSCDC of Harassment and Extortion

During the Edo State Chapter of Miners Association's annual general meeting held on Wednesday in Auchi, Alhaji Fatai Jimoh, the chairman, accused the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of harassing and extorting members under the guise of enforcing royalty payments on pulverized mineral materials. Jimoh stated that NSCDC's special marshals, deployed to monitor trucks transporting solid minerals, have created unrest and subjected miners to financial exploitation.

In response, NSCDC spokesman Efosa Ogbebor denied the allegations, asserting that no formal complaints had been lodged and that misguiding elements may be impersonating their personnel. The miners are particularly concerned about royalty payments related to pulverized dolomite and are escalating the issue to the federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

Omoruyi Martina, the permanent secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Mines, called for stronger collaboration between the ministry and mining operators to ensure the sector thrives. The meeting highlighted the challenges posed by illegal mining, which undermines legitimate operations and creates unfair market disadvantages.