The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has urged stronger cooperation with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals to address the growing connection between illegal mining, organised crime and terrorism in Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel.
The Punch reported that the call was made during a strategic engagement between a UNODC delegation and the Mining Marshals in Abuja, where the international agency commended the specialised unit for its efforts to combat illegal mining and associated criminal activities.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Attah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
The UNODC delegation, led by the Chief of the Africa Section of the Terrorism Prevention Branch, Tullio Santini, praised the unit’s enforcement activities.
“The rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade,” he stated.
The engagement formed part of a wider UNODC mission aimed at deepening partnerships in Nigeria, consulting development partners and assessing ongoing operations.
A key issue discussed was the UNODC Coordination through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus initiative, known as CONNECT.
The initiative was presented by Swedish Police law enforcement expert Robert Haslinger.
CONNECT seeks to improve cooperation between governments and law enforcement bodies in disrupting the financial and operational relationships between organised criminal groups and terrorist organisations.
Nigeria is among the countries invited to join the initiative, which is expected to be launched in November 2026.
Attah, who represented the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof Ahmed Audi, welcomed the UNODC team and described the agency as an important partner in improving the operational effectiveness of the Mining Marshals.
He said, “The previous UNODC-supported training programmes had significantly improved collaboration between the Mining Marshals and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, enhancing the ability of both institutions to coordinate investigations and intelligence-led operations against illegal mining syndicates.
“The Mining Marshals occupy a unique position within Nigeria’s security architecture, reporting to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the NSCDC. While their primary mandate remains the suppression of illegal mining activities, the officers, drawn from the NSCDC—also support broader national security operations when required.
“We also use this opportunity to advocate for the formal inclusion of the Mining Marshals in the CONNECT Initiative because disrupting the financial foundations of terrorist organizations requires greater attention to the illegal exploitation of mineral resources.”
Attah said the increasing relationship between illegal mining and terrorism had become a significant consideration for Nigeria’s national security.
He noted that the development was among the factors behind the Federal Government’s continued reforms in the mining sector, with the Mining Marshals playing an increasingly important role in enforcing laws against illegal exploitation of mineral resources.
The commander also appealed for more training and capacity-building initiatives covering terrorism-related issues, regional intelligence sharing and peer learning to equip personnel to respond more effectively to emerging threats linked to illegal mining.
Illegal mining has remained a growing security concern in Nigeria, as authorities have warned that proceeds from illicit mineral exploitation could finance criminal networks and contribute to insecurity.
The UNODC delegation also praised the organisational framework of the Mining Marshals, describing it as a distinctive model within the country’s law enforcement system.
According to the officials, the unit has an extensive mandate that covers intelligence gathering, prevention, arrests, investigations and prosecution of illegal mining cases.
They further commended the use of non-kinetic approaches, including engagement with stakeholders and communities, as part of efforts to address illegal mining.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of publications, a commemorative photograph and renewed pledges to strengthen joint efforts against the growing relationship between resource-related crime and terrorism in Nigeria and the wider region.
