Mining Marshals reject Kogi Rep’s claims, petition Speaker
July 25, 2026 7:39 am
Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, (m), at the House of Representatives complex. Photo: NSCDC
The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, asking the lower chamber to disregard what they described as “false and disparaging” allegations levelled against it by the member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, Abdullahi Danga.
The petition followed a motion sponsored by Danga during the House of Representatives plenary on Wednesday, when he called for an investigation into the operations, funding and legal status of the unit.
Danga alleged that the unit had exceeded its statutory mandate, was involved in the illegal arrest and detention of licensed miners, extortion, abuse of power and financial impropriety.
The lawmaker also called on the House to probe the operations and funding of the outfit.
However, in an eight-page petition dated July 24, 2026, and signed by the Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps Attah Onoja, the unit dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting they were aimed at undermining the Federal Government’s reforms in the solid minerals sector under the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
The Mining Marshals said they respected the constitutional oversight role of the National Assembly but maintained that the allegations could demoralise officers risking their lives to combat illegal mining across the country.
“We hold in high regard the constitutional and oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly. However, the allegations contained in the motion are false and disparaging, and are capable of gravely discouraging officers and men who daily risk their lives to combat illegal mining in difficult terrains across the country,” the petition stated.
The unit argued that Danga’s claims were based largely on allegations previously made by a police officer, CSP Abdulmajeed Oyewumi of the Force Intelligence Department, which it said had already been refuted with documentary evidence.
According to the petition, “The allegations had been comprehensively rebutted with documentary evidence, including the bank statement of the officer concerned and official rejoinders published in national newspapers.”
The Mining Marshals further alleged that the police officer could face criminal prosecution over the alleged facilitation of the escape of foreign nationals standing trial for illegal mining offences, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the case exposed the motive behind the allegations.
Responding to allegations of financial misconduct, the unit denied misappropriating public funds, insisting it operates with limited logistical support from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC.
“The Mining Marshals have never received or diverted public funds as alleged. The unit operates with limited logistics support from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” the petition stated.
Highlighting its achievements, the Mining Marshals said their operations had disrupted numerous illegal mining sites, led to the seizure of mining equipment, the arrest of suspects and ongoing prosecutions before the Federal High Court.
The petition also credited the Federal Government’s mining reforms and the unit’s enforcement activities with increased revenue generation in the sector.
“Official figures indicate that revenue from the mining sector rose from about ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by June 2026, reflecting the impact of ongoing reforms and intensified enforcement efforts,” the petition said.
Onoja appealed to lawmakers, stakeholders and the public to disregard what he described as attempts to discredit the Mining Marshals and the reforms in the mining sector.
“We remain committed to sanitising the mining sector and enforcing the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, the Mining Regulations 2011 and other government policies aimed at ensuring a safer and better regulated mining industry,” he said.
Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
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