Illegal Mining Busted: 13 Suspects Held as Abuja Quarry Site Shut Down
In a renewed effort to stamp out illegal mining and safeguard national assets, the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have shut down an illegal quarrying operation in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The operation led to the arrest of 13 suspects, who are now facing court charges pending formal arraignment.
The crackdown is part of a broader nationwide campaign to sanitize Nigeria’s mining sector, protect legally licensed operators, and combat economic sabotage caused by illegal activities.
According to Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, Commander of the Mining Marshals, the arrested individuals were working for a company that had illegally occupied a quarry lease belonging to a licensed operator for over seven months without legal authorization.
“This operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector,” Onoja stated. “We will not allow any individual or company to deprive legitimate operators of their rights or endanger our environment through unregulated practices.”
The Mining Marshals, a specialized unit created under the NSCDC, were established to tackle the growing menace of illegal mining — an activity linked to revenue loss, environmental destruction, and increased communal tensions.
Under the strategic leadership of Commandant General Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Corps has intensified its enforcement of mining regulations nationwide. The shutdown of the Kuje quarry is the latest in a series of enforcement actions targeting unauthorized mining operations, particularly in remote and poorly regulated zones.
Officials reported that the Kuje site had been operating without proper documentation, safety measures, or environmental compliance, posing significant risks to public safety and the surrounding ecosystem.
Onoja issued a stern warning to illegal operators across the country:
“Let this serve as a warning. The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We are committed to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting all violators, no matter how hidden or remote their operations may be.”
The 13 suspects remain in custody and will face court proceedings in the coming days as investigations continue.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to restoring order, legality, and accountability within Nigeria’s mining sector — a key part of the government’s broader agenda to diversify the economy and enhance internal security.
