The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has shut down an illegal quarrying site in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, arresting 13 suspects in the process.<\/h2>\n
Naija News<\/strong> reports that the operation was carried out by the Mining Marshals, a newly created specialised unit of the NSCDC tasked with tackling illegal mining nationwide.<\/p>\n Acting on credible intelligence, the unit discovered that the site had been operating without legal documentation, safety protocols, or environmental safeguards for over seven months.<\/p>\n Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC), Attah John Onoja<\/strong>, said the suspects were allegedly working for a company that encroached on a quarry lease belonging to another licensed operator.<\/p>\n \u201cThis operation underscores our commitment to zero tolerance for illegality in the Nigerian mining sector,\u201d <\/em>Onoja stated.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not allow any individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive legitimate operators of their lawful rights.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Authorities said the site was shut down for violating mining and environmental regulations, citing threats to public safety and ecological balance.<\/p>\n The enforcement action, Onoja explained, is in line with the strategic directives of NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi,<\/strong> who has prioritised the protection of critical national assets and the enforcement of compliance across sectors.<\/p>\n Issuing a warning to unlicensed operators, Onoja said: \u201cLet this serve as a warning to all illegal operators. The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all violators, no matter how remote or discreet their operations may be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The suspects remain in custody and are expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days. Investigations into the operation are ongoing.<\/p>\n The crackdown comes amid increasing concerns over the rise of illegal mining activities, particularly in remote and peri-urban areas where oversight has been weak.<\/p>\n Authorities say the clampdown is part of a broader national effort to restore order and accountability in the mining sector, boost government revenue, and strengthen internal security.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n