The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, yesterday, said no fewer than 500 persons have been arrested, with 270 facing prosecution in connection with illegal mining.
Audi made this known in Abuja at the inauguration of the House of Representatives Adhoc-committee on illegal mining.
Audi, who was represented by Assistant Commandant of Corps, John Attah, declared the readiness of Mining Marshals of the Corps to collaborate with the National Assembly in containing illegal mining.
He said the NSCDC deliberately set up the mining marshals task force to combat illegal mining aimed at closing revenue leakages.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Adhoc-committee, Rep. Sanni Abdulraheem, affirmed the committee’s task of blocking revenue leakages arising from illegal mining.
Abdulraheem, who condemned illegal mining, said it was a scourge with devastating effects on the national economy.
“Illegal mining, as we all know, is a scourge that has had devastating effects on our nation from massive revenue losses to criminality that undermines our security and alters the environment.
“Our mission is clear. It is to block these revenue leakages, enforce transparency, and ensure that every naira from our natural resources is properly accounted for,” he said.
The ad hoc-committee chairman, who thanked the Speaker of the House of Representatives for reposing confidence in him, pledged not to disappoint Nigerians. He said: “We will ensure that every naira generated from our rich natural resources contributes to the nation’s economic prosperity,” adding that the committee would strengthen revenue tracking mechanisms through structured oversight.
He restated the dedication of the committee to flushing out illegal miners in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
