The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, ACC John Attah Onoja, with its Outstanding Operational Commander’s Award.

The award was presented at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards held on October 12 at the Nigerian Army Command Officers’ Mess 1, WU Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.

The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” focused on the growing importance of intelligence, technology and inter-agency cooperation in tackling security threats.

Onoja attributed the recognition to the operational and leadership philosophy of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, mni, OFR.

Discussions at the conference highlighted the need for security agencies to complement conventional enforcement with intelligence-led operations, advanced surveillance and effective information-sharing.

In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Air Commodore Stephen Ogunmodele, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said military firepower alone could not guarantee national security, stressing the importance of intelligence in identifying threats and enabling precise operations.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi O. Oluyede, also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, space-based surveillance and intelligence fusion in strengthening operational effectiveness.

For the Mining Marshals, these priorities are relevant to efforts to combat illegal mining, protect mineral resources and disrupt illicit activities. Effective enforcement, however, requires more than raids and arrests; it depends on credible intelligence, inter-agency coordination and sustained action against illegal operations.

The conference also addressed the risks of AI-generated misinformation and the need for responsible defence reporting to protect operational security while maintaining public accountability.

The keynote address was delivered by former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.).

As Nigeria seeks to strengthen security and maximise the economic benefits of its mineral resources, the challenge remains to translate intelligence-driven strategies into measurable results, including reduced illegal extraction and improved protection of mining communities and national assets.