UNODC begins specialised training for NSCDC officers on illegal mining

Nigeria’s efforts to curb illegal mining and protect its mineral wealth has received a boost with the launch of a specialised capacity-building programme for the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) mining marshals.

The initiative, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under a Canada-funded project, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s response to criminal and terrorist financing associated with mineral exploitation.

The four-day workshop, scheduled to be held from November 25 to 28 in Abuja, is designed to improve the ability of selected NSCDC officers to detect, investigate and disrupt illicit financial flows linked to illegal mining, money laundering and the financing of armed groups.

UNODC asked the corps to nominate 20 technical officers, including a coordinating officer, preferably those with experience handling mineral-related financial crimes and illegal mining cases.

Declaring the workshop open, Ahmed Audi, NSCDC commandant-general, hailed the partnership as “a collective global response to securing Nigeria’s mineral deposits from exploitation and criminal infiltration.”

Audi, represented by Muktar Lawal, assistant commandant-general, said the programme aligns with the federal government’s renewed push for resource protection.

John Attah, commander of the mining marshal’s corps, described UNODC’s involvement as a strong endorsement of the government efforts to sanitise the mineral sector and pledged the officers’ commitment to discipline and proactive enforcement.

With illegal mining linked to revenue loss, insecurity, environmental damage and criminal financing, stakeholders say the collaboration marks a critical step in strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard its mineral assets.

The workshop is expected to set a new benchmark for coordinated intelligence-driven protection of the country’s mineral resources.

In July, the house of representatives committee on solid minerals development announced that Nigeria loses $9 billion annually to illegal mining.

Jonathan Gbefwi, chairman of the committee, said illegal mining poses “substantial risks” to the nation’s economy, environment, and security.