Reps probe Mining Marshals over alleged N2bn financial irregularities
By Taiwo Scholastica
The House of Representatives on Wednesday has ordered an investigation into the activities and financial operations of the Mining Marshals following allegations of misconduct, operational lapses, and questions surrounding the unit’s legal framework.
The probe will also examine claims that over N2bn was found in the bank account of one of the unit’s State Commanders.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr. Abdulmaleek Danga, who expressed deep concern over the operations of the specialized security outfit established to tackle illegal mining nationwide.
Presenting the motion, Danga recalled that the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior, inaugurated the Mining Marshals on March 21, 2024.
The unit consists of more than 2,200 personnel drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and was established under Section 3 of the NSCDC Act and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
According to Danga, the Mining Marshals were created to secure mining sites, combat illegal operations, address banditry in mineral-producing areas, and safeguard government revenues from the solid minerals sector. However, he alleged that the unit has strayed from its core mandate.
“The House is concerned by reports indicating a departure from this mandate, characterized by allegations that the Mining Marshals lack deep operational knowledge of the mining sector. This has resulted in the wrongful apprehension and harassment of legitimate mineral titleholders, while these actions are misrepresented to the public as successful crackdowns on illegal operators,” Danga said.
He also raised alarms over alleged financial misconduct within the unit, specifically referencing the reported discovery of over N2bn in the bank account of a State Commander.
“The House is equally concerned by grave allegations of financial impropriety within the unit, specifically the reported discovery of over N2bn in the bank account of a State Commander of the Mining Marshals,” he said.
Danga expressed concern that the officer was merely redeployed rather than subjected to a formal judicial inquiry, prosecution, or internal discipline, fueling suspicions that the Marshals have been compromised by wealthy illegal mining syndicates.
He further questioned the funding of the Mining Marshals, particularly the procurement of operational vehicles, which he noted lacked clear legislative appropriation or budgetary provision.
“The House is disturbed by the lack of fiscal transparency surrounding the unit, notably the recent procurement and allocation of operational vehicles without a clear record of legislative appropriation or budgetary allocation from the parent agency, thereby exposing the unit to extrabudgetary expenditure,” he said.
He warned that these operational and financial shortcomings directly threaten the nation’s economy and the development of the solid minerals sector.
“The House is convinced that these operational and financial anomalies directly undermine Nigeria’s economic interests, leading to revenue leakages, heightened insecurity, and a decline in investor confidence,” Danga added.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House directed its Committee on Solid Minerals Development to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the operations of the Mining Marshals nationwide.
The committee is tasking itself with verifying whether the unit is operating within its legal mandate and investigating all allegations of financial misconduct, including the N2bn linked to the former State Commander and similar cases across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The panel will also look into how operational vehicles and equipment were funded and procured.
In addition, lawmakers directed the committee to review the legal framework, organizational structure, and statutory compliance of the Mining Marshals.
The committee is expected to recommend an internationally recognized and legally compliant framework for protecting mining assets in Nigeria, with instructions to submit its report within four weeks.
The Federal Government launched the Mining Marshals in March 2024 as a specialized unit to curb illegal mining, which continues to cause major revenue losses, environmental degradation, and insecurity across mineral-rich states like Zamfara, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kaduna.
The government continues to position the solid minerals industry as a cornerstone for economic diversification to reduce reliance on crude oil revenues.