NSCDC Mining Marshals Seal Seven Illegal Mineral Processing Centres In Niger, Arrest Four

The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps 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 Attah Onoja, said in a statement on Friday that the operation was carried out on June 12, 2026, and targeted companies operating without the required approvals.

Daily Post reported that the affected companies include 17 Mines and Minerals Limited, LALO Mining Limited, AL-YAMAN Global Concept Nigeria Limited, SIMASS Mining and Trading Company Limited, YMJ Minerals and Mines Nigeria Limited, Dating Company Industry Limited and another mineral buying facility in the area.

Four suspects linked to some of the companies were arrested during the operation.

Investigators found that representatives of some of the companies admitted purchasing Monazite from suppliers who presented only state or local government revenue receipts, without producing valid mining leases, Small-Scale Mining Leases, Licences to Purchase and Possess Minerals, or Mineral Buying Centre Licences.

The report concluded that there was prima facie evidence of regulatory non-compliance, with reasonable suspicion that minerals processed by some of the companies may have originated from illegal mining operations. It recommended comprehensive verification of licences, investigation of identified suppliers, legal review of the findings and prosecution where criminal conduct is established.

Preliminary valuation of the seized minerals, comprising Monazite, Iron Ore and Zircon, showed they were worth several millions of naira.

Onoja said the crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector. “Where there are no buyers of illegally mined minerals, illegal miners won’t exist,” he said.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post