FG vows to punish killers of NSCDC officer, deploys mining marshals against illegal miners

The Federal Government has vowed to hunt down and prosecute those responsible for the killing of an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps during an operation against illegal mining in Niger State.

Dele Alake, minister, solid minerals development, said security agencies had been placed on red alert to track and arrest the perpetrators.

He said the attackers would face the full weight of the law to send a strong message that the administration maintains zero tolerance for illegal mining.

Alake said the death of the officer and the burning of an operational vehicle would not deter the government from enforcing mining laws.

The minister said more weapons and equipment were being procured to strengthen the Mining Marshals, a special enforcement unit drawn from the NSCDC, to clamp down on illegal mining activities nationwide.

He added that sustained enforcement was critical to protecting legal miners, host communities and investor confidence, especially amid growing international interest in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector at the ongoing Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

The NSCDC confirmed that one of its personnel was killed and a patrol vehicle set ablaze during a joint operation at Zuzungi in Kataeregi area of Katcha local government area of Niger State.

Suberu Aniviye, commandant, , Niger State Command, said the attack was carried out by suspected illegal miners.

Rabiu Muti, deputy superintendent of corps, said the incident occurred at about 12:30 am on February 11 while the patrol team was attempting to intercept suspected smugglers transporting illegally extracted minerals from the mining site.

The ministry said investigations were ongoing and assured that all those involved would be brought to justice.