The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have formally appealed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, urging lawmakers to dismiss allegations raised against the unit by Kogi lawmaker Abdullahi Danga.
The appeal comes after Danga, who represents the Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, sponsored a motion during Wednesday’s plenary calling for a comprehensive investigation into the Mining Marshals’ operations, legal standing and funding.
Lawmaker Demands Probe Into Unit’s Activities
During the debate, Danga accused the Mining Marshals of operating outside their legal authority, alleging that the unit had unlawfully arrested licensed miners, engaged in extortion, abused its powers and committed financial misconduct.
He asked the House of Representatives to investigate both the conduct of the unit and the sources of its funding, arguing that the allegations warranted legislative scrutiny.
Mining Marshals Dismiss Claims as Baseless
In response, the Mining Marshals submitted an eight-page petition dated July 24, 2026, and signed by the unit’s Commander, Assistant Commandant of Corps Attah Onoja.
The petition rejected every allegation, describing them as unfounded and damaging.
According to the unit, the accusations are part of an effort to weaken ongoing reforms introduced by the Federal Government in the solid minerals sector under the leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
Unit Warns Against Impact on Officers Fighting Illegal Mining
While reaffirming its respect for the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight responsibilities, the Mining Marshals cautioned that the allegations could have a negative effect on personnel working in dangerous environments to tackle illegal mining.
The petition stated that officers regularly risk their safety during enforcement operations and argued that unverified accusations could undermine morale and public confidence in their work.
Previous Allegations Already Addressed, Petition Says
The unit further argued that many of the claims raised by Danga mirrored accusations previously made by CSP Abdulmajeed Oyewumi of the Force Intelligence Department.
According to the petition, those earlier allegations had already been answered with documentary evidence, including financial records and official public responses published in national newspapers.
The Mining Marshals insisted the issues had been thoroughly addressed and should not be revived without new evidence.
Counter-Accusation Against Police Officer
The petition also alleged that the police officer could himself face criminal prosecution over claims that he facilitated the escape of foreign nationals who were standing trial for illegal mining offences.
It argued that the circumstances surrounding that case revealed the motivations behind the allegations directed at the Mining Marshals.
Unit Denies Misusing Public Funds
Addressing claims of financial impropriety, the Mining Marshals firmly denied ever diverting or misappropriating government funds.
The petition maintained that the unit functions with limited logistical assistance provided by both the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC, rejecting suggestions that it had access to or misused public resources.
Enforcement Efforts Credited With Sector Gains
The Mining Marshals highlighted what it described as significant successes since its establishment, including the disruption of illegal mining operations, the seizure of mining equipment, the arrest of suspects and ongoing prosecutions before the Federal High Court.
The petition further linked these enforcement activities to improvements in government revenue from the mining industry.
According to figures cited by the unit, revenue generated from the sector increased from approximately ₦6 billion in 2023 to more than ₦70 billion by June 2026, attributing the growth to stronger enforcement measures and broader reforms implemented by the Federal Government.
Commander Calls for Continued Support
Concluding the petition, Commander Attah Onoja appealed to lawmakers, industry stakeholders and members of the public not to be influenced by what he described as attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Mining Marshals.
He reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to enforcing the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, the Mining Regulations 2011 and other government policies aimed at strengthening regulation, improving safety and eliminating illegal mining activities across the country.
