The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have issued a stern warning to illegal mining operators nationwide, urging them to desist from unlawful activities or face imprisonment as determined by the courts.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, delivered the warning during an interview on Wednesday in Abuja.
Commander Onoja emphasised that illegal mining attracts custodial sentences rather than monetary fines, with penalties determined at the discretion of a Federal High Court judge.
“In cases of illegal mining, you rarely hear of fines being imposed. While sentencing is ultimately at the judge’s discretion and based on the specifics of each case, I can assure you that the punishment is far from lenient,” he stated.
He appealed to individuals currently engaged in illegal mining who have yet to be apprehended, urging them to desist before facing legal consequences.
“At this stage, we are appealing to those still operating illegally. They remain citizens who have not yet been arrested, and thus have the opportunity to reflect and learn from the experiences of others who have been apprehended for similar offences,” he said.
Onoja warned that once offenders are arrested, they would face the full force of the law, adding that mining-related offences fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court and could result in significant custodial sentences.
“The Mining Marshals are a no-compromise unit. Once arrested, you will face full legal prosecution, and these are offences that may keep you imprisoned for a substantial part of your productive years,” he warned.
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Clarifying the role of the NSCDC and the Mining Marshals, Onoja noted that they are not responsible for issuing or renewing licences but are instead statutory enforcement agents.
He further explained the various categories of mining licences, including the Exploration Licence, Small-Scale Mining Lease (SSML), and the Mining Licence, each with defined operational scopes and validity periods.
“Illegal mining is not simply the absence of a licence. Even with a valid licence, one can still operate illegally by exceeding the approved scope,” he explained.
“For instance, an Exploration Licence permits you to survey and sample a site to determine mineral viability, but not to commence mining. An SSML allows for small-scale mining but not beyond a depth of seven metres or in commercial quantities. Only a Mining Licence permits commercial or industrial-scale mining.”
“You may possess any or all of these licences, but if you operate at a site not assigned to you, or outside the limits of your licence, you are engaging in illegal mining,” Onoja concluded.
