The Nigerian federal government has declined a legislative proposal aimed at creating a specialized security agency to protect mining sites across the country. This decision was made public on Thursday despite escalating illegal mining activities and related security issues nationwide.
The bill, titled “Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) Act,” was presented by Senator Onawo Ogoshi of Nasarawa South Senatorial District. During the bill’s hearing at the National Assembly, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, represented by Umar Bala from the mining ministry’s inspectorate, voiced opposition, asserting that the new agency would duplicate efforts already handled by the government.
Alake advised that the focus should instead be on empowering the Special Mines Surveillance Task Force (SMSTF), the nation’s designated security team for mining oversight. “The task force, supervised by the Ministry of Solid Mineral Development and coordinated by the National Security Advisor, integrates multiple security agencies, creating a comprehensive approach to counter illegal mining,” Alake explained. He urged the Senate committee to adopt SMSTF’s existing protocols, emphasizing the benefits of a unified operation.
He also suggested deploying advanced technologies like drones to enhance surveillance, adding, “Using technology, including unmanned aerial vehicles, can provide real-time data, improving current monitoring efforts.”
Supporting Alake’s stance, Geraldine Okafor, an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Interior, advocated for strengthening the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), arguing that equipping and training current personnel would be more efficient than establishing a new agency. NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi echoed this, asserting that the NMRS bill undermines the NSCDC’s core mandate. He highlighted the Corps’ achievements, including the destruction of over 100 illegal mining sites, arrest of more than 50 suspects (some of whom are foreign nationals), and active cases in court.
Senator Ogoshi defended the bill, stating that existing agencies have not adequately addressed illegal mining. The Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, led by Ekong Sampson, promised to review all arguments presented at the hearing.
