The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded six suspected illegal miners apprehended during a midnight operation in the state.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Minna, the State Commandant, Comdt. Suberu Aniviye, disclosed that the suspects were arrested around 12:00 midnight following credible intelligence on illegal mining activities being carried out in large numbers.
“Our Mining Marshals acted swiftly on the intelligence and apprehended six suspects at the site. We also recovered nine motorcycles and several implements used for illegal mining,” Aniviye stated.
The Commandant reiterated the Corps’ commitment to eradicating illegal mining in Niger State, warning perpetrators to vacate the area or face decisive action.
“This is a final warning to all illegal miners and those engaging in unlawful activities. They should leave Niger State immediately because wherever they relocate within Nigeria, the Civil Defence Corps will track them down. We will not allow individuals to divert the mineral resources meant for the development of our state,” he warned.
Aniviye also urged traditional rulers, political leaders, and community stakeholders to support the Corps by sensitising their subjects at the grassroots level.
He emphasized that the state government, under Governor Umaru Bago, has made substantial investments in infrastructure — including roads and social amenities — funded by the state’s resources, stressing that such progress must not be undermined by illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Danmalam Hafiz, a representative of the newly inaugurated Petroleum and Environmental Degradation Association, also addressed journalists during the parade.
Hafiz explained that the association, established two weeks ago in Abuja, was created to collaborate with the NSCDC in the fight against illegal mining and other forms of environmental degradation.
“Our goal is not only to combat illegal mining but also to address environmental degradation. We already have representatives across all 36 states and in every local government of Niger State.
These grassroots members will serve as our intelligence network, providing timely information to the Civil Defence Corps,” Hafiz said.
He further revealed that the association plans to establish its own task force to work alongside the NSCDC’s Mining Marshals, in addition to organizing training programs for members across the 25 local government areas of Niger State.
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