*ACC John Onoja Attah.
Commander of the The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah, on Monday warned mining operators across the country against engaging in illegal activities.
Attah gave the warning
in a statement he issued in Abuja, saying those who violate mining laws and regulations will face prosecution.
The development is coming against the backdrop of intensified enforcement operations nationwide by the Mining Marshals in a renewed push to sanitise Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and curb illegal mining.
The specialised enforcement unit said its operational teams, particularly in the South-West, had made progress in ensuring mining activities comply with existing laws and regulatory requirements.
Attah warned operators against flouting mining regulations, stressing that ignorance of the law would not shield offenders from prosecution.
He said, “Ignorance of the law will never be an excuse. Every operator must ensure that mining activities are conducted within the ambit of the law.
“Those who choose to operate outside the regulatory framework will face the full weight of legal consequences.”
Attah said the intensified enforcement drive was aimed not only at tackling illegal mining but also at protecting legitimate investors, improving revenue generation and restoring confidence in a sector that has faced persistent regulatory violations and economic sabotage.
According to him, compliance with mining laws is critical to ensuring that the country’s mineral resources are exploited safely, sustainably and in a manner that benefits the national economy.
