The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has shut down an illegal quarrying site in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, arresting 13 suspects during the operation.
The raid, carried out by the NSCDC’s newly established Mining Marshals, followed credible intelligence indicating the site had been operating for more than seven months without legal documentation, safety protocols, or environmental safeguards.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) Attah John Onoja, said the suspects were allegedly working for a company that encroached on a licensed quarry lease. “We will not allow any individual or company to take the law into their own hands or deprive legitimate operators of their lawful rights,” Onoja stated.
The site was sealed for violating mining and environmental regulations, with authorities citing threats to public safety and ecological balance. Onoja noted that the enforcement aligns with directives from NSCDC Commandant General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to protect critical national assets and enforce compliance nationwide.
“Let this serve as a warning to all illegal operators,” Onoja warned. “The era of impunity in the mining sector is over. We will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute all violators, no matter how remote or discreet their operations may be.”
The suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned in court, while investigations continue. Officials say the crackdown is part of a wider national effort to combat illegal mining, boost revenue, and enhance internal security.
