The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, have sealed seven suspected illegal mineral buying and processing centres in Kontagora, Niger State, over alleged violations of Nigeria’s mining laws and mineral trading regulations.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Onoja, disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja that the operation was part of efforts to curb illegal mining activities and restore order in the nation’s solid minerals sector.
According to the statement, four suspects linked to some of the affected centres were also arrested.
The statement read: “The enforcement exercise, carried out on June 12, 2026, led to the closure of 17 Mines & Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining & Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals & Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited, and another mineral buying facility operating in the area. Four suspects linked to some of the affected companies were also arrested.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the operation followed credible intelligence suggesting that some of the companies were operating mineral buying centres without the required approvals and were allegedly sourcing strategic minerals from unverified suppliers in violation of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.
“Investigators found that representatives of some of the companies admitted purchasing Monazite from suppliers who presented only state or local government revenue receipts, without providing valid mining leases, Small-Scale Mining Leases, SSML, Licenses to Purchase and Possess Minerals, LPPM, Mineral Buying Centre Licenses, or other statutory documents required under the law.”
According to the statement, officials of AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited and 17 Mines & Minerals Limited also admitted purchasing minerals without verifying whether suppliers had the legal authority to mine, possess or sell the minerals.
Also Read: FG warns Nigerians against harassing mining marshals
“The report further stated that investigators were unable to obtain documentary evidence showing that some of the affected firms possessed valid Licenses to Purchase and Possess Minerals or Mineral Buying Centre Licenses authorizing them to procure minerals from third parties.
“It, however, recommended further verification of permits and approvals claimed by some of the companies with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and other regulatory agencies,” it added.
The statement said that investigation concluded that there was prima facie evidence of regulatory non-compliance and reasonable suspicion that some of the minerals processed by the companies may have originated from illegal mining operations.
It recommended comprehensive verification of licenses, investigation of identified suppliers, legal review of the findings, prosecution where criminal conduct is established, and forfeiture of all minerals recovered during the operation to the Federal Government in line with existing laws.
The statement added that preliminary valuation of the seized minerals, comprising Monazite, Iron Ore and Zircon recovered from the affected facilities, indicated they were worth several millions of naira.
Onoja confirmed the operation, vowing to clamp down on illegal operators.
“The crackdown forms part of our ongoing efforts to sanitize the solid minerals sector, dismantle illegal mineral trading networks and ensure strict compliance with Nigeria’s mining laws,” he said.
He added: “Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal miners won’t exist.”
PUNCH NEWS
