The Federal Government has commissioned eight operational gun trucks for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals to strengthen enforcement operations against illegal mining activities across the country.

The vehicles were unveiled alongside a commemorative publication, The Guardians of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals: Two Years of Commitment and Service by the Mining Marshals, which chronicles the unit’s achievements since its establishment.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, assured the Mining Marshals of continued government support, promising additional technological equipment and armoured vehicles as funding becomes available.

Alake praised the specialised NSCDC unit for its performance, disclosing that it has arrested more than 300 illegal miners, prosecuted over 150 suspects and secured several convictions involving both Nigerian and foreign offenders within the last two years.

According to the minister, the Mining Marshals have played a key role in safeguarding the nation’s mineral resources and supporting the federal government’s efforts to diversify the economy through increased revenues from the solid minerals sector.

He warned individuals and groups engaged in illegal mining that the government would sustain enforcement actions against those undermining efforts to protect the country’s mineral wealth.

Representing the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, describing it as instrumental in strengthening the security of mining assets and host communities.

Jibrin pledged continued support for the Mining Marshals through improved training, funding and operational capacity.

The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, represented by Deputy Commandant General Zakari Ibrahim Ningi, described the support received from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development as unprecedented and reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to sustaining the partnership.

He assured that the newly commissioned gun trucks would be effectively deployed to enhance ongoing enforcement operations against illegal mining.

Also speaking, the National Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Attah Onoja, expressed appreciation to both ministries for the logistical support, noting that the additional equipment would significantly improve operational effectiveness.

Onoja urged Nigerians to support efforts to combat illegal mining, stressing that unauthorised exploitation of mineral resources amounts to the theft of national wealth. He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to improve enforcement across the mining sector.

The deployment of the gun trucks forms part of the federal government’s broader strategy to curb illegal mining, improve security in mining communities and maximise the economic benefits of Nigeria’s solid mineral resources.