The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to curb illegal mining in Nasarawa State, with the Mining Marshals carrying out a coordinated enforcement operation across parts of the state.

The exercise followed complaints of unlawful mineral exploitation and was aimed at ensuring that mining operators comply with approved regulations and operate strictly within their licensed areas.

Rather than focusing solely on arrests, the operation also involved verification of mineral titles and mining coordinates to establish whether operators were working within the boundaries approved by the authorities.

The Mining Marshals deployed a multi-agency team comprising officials of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, operatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and local and community security stakeholders.

The operation is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen oversight of the mining sector and tackle activities that authorities say undermine lawful mineral exploitation.

Speaking during the exercise, Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps Attah John Onoja, said the operation was designed to promote compliance with mining laws and establish lawful practices across mining communities.

Onoja said the exercise was conducted in line with established Standard Operating Procedures and within the legal framework guiding the activities of the Mining Marshals.

He cited the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act 2007, as amended, as part of the legal basis for the operation.

According to him, the Mining Marshals would continue to enforce relevant mining regulations and protect the country’s mineral resources, in line with the policy direction of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi.

The deployment comes amid efforts by the government to formalise the solid minerals sector, protect legitimate mining operators and improve oversight of mineral resources.

Authorities also view stronger enforcement as important to curbing resource theft and illegal exploitation, while creating a more predictable operating environment for licensed investors.

The Mining Marshals said similar enforcement and compliance activities would continue across mineral-rich communities as part of efforts to strengthen accountability in the sector.