NSCDC Shuts Down Seven Illegal Mining Centres in Niger, Arrests Four Suspects -

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining activities, sealing seven suspected unlawful mineral processing and buying centres in Kontagora, Niger State.

The operation, carried out by the NSCDC Mining Marshals, also led to the arrest of four individuals linked to the affected facilities.

According to a statement released in Abuja by the Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Onoja, the enforcement exercise was part of ongoing efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and ensure strict compliance with existing mining laws.

The centres affected include 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals & Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited, and another unnamed mineral buying facility.

Preliminary investigations revealed that several of the companies were operating without the necessary regulatory approvals.

Some were reportedly sourcing strategic minerals from unverified suppliers, in violation of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.

Investigators further discovered that representatives of certain companies admitted to purchasing minerals such as Monazite without verifying whether suppliers possessed valid mining licences or legal authority to trade.

In many cases, only local or state government revenue receipts were presented, rather than required statutory documents like mining leases, Small-Scale Mining Leases (SSML), or Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals (LPPM).

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The NSCDC noted that there was no sufficient documentary evidence confirming that some of the companies held valid Mineral Buying Centre Licences or other necessary permits.

Authorities also stated that there is strong suspicion that some of the minerals processed at these facilities may have originated from illegal mining operations.

Recovered minerals, including Monazite, Iron Ore, and Zircon, were valued at several millions of naira and are expected to be forfeited to the Federal Government pending the outcome of investigations.

The NSCDC has recommended a comprehensive verification of all licences claimed by the companies, a detailed investigation into their suppliers, and possible prosecution where criminal violations are established.

Onoja reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to dismantling illegal mining networks, stressing that curbing the demand for illegally sourced minerals is key to ending unlawful mining activities.

“The crackdown forms part of our ongoing efforts to restore order in the solid minerals sector. Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal mining will not thrive,” he said.