By Staff Reporter – Abuja
Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining just got a fierce new face — and his name is ACC John Attah Onoja.
As the no-nonsense Commander of the NSCDC’s elite Mining Marshals, Onoja is shaking the foundations of a multi-billion naira black-market industry that has bled the nation for years. With the backing of Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, the campaign is both brutal and unrelenting — and it’s working.
In just over a year since the Mining Marshals were officially unleashed, over 457 illegal mining sites have been busted. 327 suspects, including foreign nationals, are now facing justice, and more than 98 hijacked mining sites have been reclaimed for legitimate operators.
“This is a fight for Nigeria’s future. Our minerals belong to the people, not to thieves,” declared ACC Onoja during a recent sting operation in Nasarawa State. “We’re not stopping until every illegal miner is out of business — for good.”
With boots on the ground and eyes in the sky — including planned satellite surveillance systems — the Marshals have become a nightmare for illegal operators. Trucks loaded with stolen minerals, illegal gold dredging sites, and even heavily armed syndicates have fallen like dominoes under the task force’s nationwide sweep.
Minister Dele Alake, who greenlit the force as part of his 7-point reform agenda, called the Mining Marshals “Nigeria’s mineral watchdogs.” He warned that there will be “no sacred cows,” promising swift action against any individual or group threatening the integrity of Nigeria’s solid mineral sector.
The crackdown isn’t just about arresting offenders — it’s about recovering the nation’s dignity and economic control. Reclaimed mining sites are being handed back to licensed operators, creating jobs and boosting revenue for local communities.
“We are defending the Nigerian commonwealth — this isn’t just law enforcement, it’s economic liberation,” CG Audi stated during a joint press briefing with the Solid Minerals Ministry.
As public support grows, and more Marshals are trained and deployed, ACC Onoja’s team has a clear message for illegal miners:
“Your time is up.”
