The mining marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have shut down an illegal mining site in Damau community, located in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
CSC Afolabi Babawale, National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Abuja, stated that the move is aimed at restoring order and investor confidence in the country’s troubled solid minerals sector.
“This is coming after the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, gave a marching order on mapping out an effective and strategic approach towards tackling insecurity, vandalism of public utilities, and all acts of economic sabotage across the federation,”; he said in a statement.
The operation targeted a tin-rich site owned by Trobell Minerals Limited, which had been overtaken by unauthorised miners for several months. Officials noted that the illegal activities had resulted in substantial economic losses, environmental degradation, and growing insecurity in the area.
In a strategic move, the NSCDC mining marshals employed non-kinetic methods through a community engagement strategy.
Traditional leaders and community youths were involved in deliberations, and the miners began vacating the site under official supervision, without resistance.
According to the statement, this diplomatic approach was praised by local stakeholders, who pledged continued support to maintain the progress achieved.
Earlier, the activities of illegal miners were described as a serious threat to human lives, livelihoods, and investment.
One local official affirmed that “this intervention has brought a long-awaited relief.”;
