Mining Marshals Shut Down Illegal Site In Nasarawa, Arrest Three Foreigners
According to Alake, the illegal operators of the site had previously evaded arrest due to protection allegedly provided by compromised security operatives.
Operatives of the Mining Marshals unit have shut down an illegal mining site and arrested three foreign nationals in Rafin-Gabas, a community in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, confirmed the successful operation in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, in Abuja on Thursday.
He described the development as a significant step in the ongoing effort to sanitise the mining sector and stamp out criminal activities threatening Nigeria’s mineral wealth.
According to Alake, the illegal operators of the site had previously evaded arrest due to protection allegedly provided by compromised security operatives.
However, the Mining Marshals executed a “strategic and well-coordinated operation” that penetrated the stronghold, resulting in the arrest of three foreign nationals believed to be key players in the illicit activity.
“Several other suspects managed to flee, allegedly with the help of some security personnel,” the minister stated, adding that the government is determined to bring all perpetrators to justice.
He lauded the Mining Marshals for their bravery and professionalism, describing the operation as “a breakthrough in the fight against illegal mining.”
Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Onoja, disclosed that a manhunt was underway for the escaped suspects.
He also confirmed that investigations were ongoing to identify and prosecute any security personnel who may have aided the illegal operation.
Onoja further revealed that the company behind the illegal mining activities—and some of the fugitives—already face pending criminal charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Since the Mining Marshals began operations in 2024, the Federal Government has arrested 327 suspects and prosecuted 143 individuals for illegal mining across the country.
The Marshals, drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), were specially trained in tactical operations to combat illegal miners, bandits, and other threats to Nigeria’s mineral sector.
Minister Alake reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, vowing to pursue justice and restore order to the solid minerals industry.
“We are committed to enforcing the law and ensuring that Nigeria’s mineral resources benefit the people, not criminals or their collaborators,” he said.
