By Adaora Adibe & Oluwaseyi Otitoju
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has partnered with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals in a renewed effort to combat illegal mining across the country. The strategic collaboration aims to strengthen enforcement, safeguard mineral resources, and enhance the economic value of Nigeria’s mining sector.
This was revealed during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, led by the Assistant Commandant, ACC Attah John Onoja, to the RMRDC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, where they were received by the Director General of the RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso and the senior management team of RMRDC.
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, ACC Onoja, who represented the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, stated that the mission of the Mining Marshals is not only to provide on-ground security but also to ensure that mineral resources are extracted in ways that align with national laws and contribute to economic growth. He noted that the collaboration with RMRDC was essential in areas such as data access, technical expertise, and support for the criminal prosecution of offenders.
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Onoja described the visit as a demonstration of synergy, emphasizing that for the Mining Marshals to effectively safeguard Nigeria’s mineral wealth, collaboration with research institutions like the RMRDC is essential. He noted that working together will help ensure illegal miners are brought to justice and that the mining sector delivers its full value to the nation.
The Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Muanso, praised the Marshals for their commitment and discipline in tackling illegal mining. He assured the delegation that the Council would make available its resources to support their operations.
Professor Ike-Muonso urged the NSCDC Mining Marshals to broaden their security efforts beyond the mining sector. He called for increased vigilance in protecting the nation’s agricultural raw materials, which, he noted, are increasingly being exploited by foreign nationals, particularly from China and India. According to him, these groups often aggregate valuable raw materials indiscriminately, export them for processing abroad, and then sell the finished products back to Nigeria at exorbitant prices. He also decried the extraction of raw minerals at mining sites without fair compensation, stating that such practices have led to significant financial losses and missed employment opportunities for the country.
He assured Onoja of the Council’s commitment to supporting the NSCDC Mining Marshals through capacity building and technical collaboration. He stated that the Council will partner with the NSCDC to provide specialised training for its personnel, equipping them with the skills to identify and accurately differentiate raw materials on sight. He also highlighted plans to jointly develop a comprehensive national raw materials database, enhance understanding of raw material traceability and artisanal mining practices, and strengthen the Marshals’ expertise in the proper characterisation of Nigeria’s vast mineral resources.
“The Council is prepared to assist with data sharing, joint training programmes, laboratory analysis of minerals, and technical support where necessary. We recognize the critical role security plays in our mandate of adding value to raw materials, and this collaboration will help align our scientific efforts with field realities,” the DG stated.
The event concluded with an exchange of souvenirs between the Commandant and the RMRDC leadership, symbolizing the formalization of the strategic partnership. The collaboration is expected to play a significant role in transforming the nation’s economy by promoting resource security, curbing illegal extraction, and enhancing value addition across the raw materials sector.
