No fewer than 600 illegal mining sites have been shut down nationwide, and more than 500 suspects arrested and being prosecuted including foreign nationals by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi made this disclosure during a courtesy visit to Ebonyi state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru at Government House, Abakaliki.
Audi acknowledged the pressing security challenges in the state, reiterating the NSCDC’s mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, regulate private security, and ensure the safety of mining zones.
However, he noted the high risks faced by NSCDC operatives, citing the recent killing of eight officers in Edo State during a rescue operation involving foreign nationals.
“We are operating in an asymmetric security environment including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
“We can only overcome these threats through coordination, cooperation, and collaboration,” Prof. Audi emphasized.
The Commandant General’s visit to Ebonyi is part of a national operational tour aimed at assessing state-level challenges and infrastructure gaps facing the Corps.
Reacting, Ebonyi state Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru called for the immediate deployment of at least 400 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat rampant illegal mining and address critical security shortfalls across the state.
Nwifuru described the security manpower currently available in Ebonyi as “grossly inadequate” and disproportionately lower than what is obtainable in other states.
“Ebonyi State Command doesn’t have manpower up to what a single local government has elsewhere. What is our sin?” the governor asked pointedly, expressing concern over the state’s vulnerability.
Governor Nwifuru decried the proliferation of illegal mining operations, warning that valuable resources such as gold are being extracted under the guise of lead and zinc mining, with minimal regulatory oversight.
He noted that in the absence of adequate NSCDC presence, military personnel have been forced to undertake duties outside their primary mandate.
“The army is doing NSCDC’s job because you don’t have the men.
“Some people are mining lead and zinc, but they’re actually extracting gold. The country is losing a lot,” he said.
The governor also submitted a list of 194 potential recruits from Ebonyi State, requesting federal consideration for their absorption into the Corps.
He emphasized that this would not only improve security but also reduce youth unemployment and enhance accountability in the extractive sector.
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