Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, shutting down multiple mining sites and arresting both local and foreign suspects in operations across the country.
The Civil Defence PRO, Lagos State Command, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed this in a statement on the 8th Edition of the NSCDC Lagos Public Relations Clinic, held in partnership with the Halogen Group on Thursday, 17th September 2026, in Ikeja, GRA.
Giving an insight into the operations, the Commander, NSCDC Mining Marshals, ACC Onoja John Attah, said the unit had recorded increased successes in tackling illegal mining through closer cooperation with other stakeholders.
He said the operations had resulted in the sealing of illegal mining sites, arrests of suspects and commencement of prosecutions, adding that the efforts had also helped to improve investor confidence in the mining sector.
Speaking at the clinic, themed “Collaborative Security As A Paradigm For Mining Security,” ACC Onoja John Attah said the fight against illegal mining could no longer be left to one security agency.
According to him, securing the mining sector goes beyond protecting individual mining sites. It also involves protecting host communities, preventing environmental damage, safeguarding national economic interests and stopping criminal elements from exploiting mining activities.
He said the collaborative approach adopted by the Mining Marshals had produced results that were significantly different from what obtained in the past.
The Commander said that in the last two years, the country had witnessed more successful operations against illegal mining, including the closure of illegal sites and the prosecution of suspects.
At the event, the State Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos State Command, Mr Adedotun Keshinro, said stronger cooperation among security agencies, regulators, private security companies and other stakeholders was necessary to confront illegal mining and insecurity around mining corridors.
He also described the Public Relations Clinic as an important platform for strengthening that relationship, noting that the Command had used the eight editions to equip its Public Relations Officers, Area Commanders and Divisional Officers with skills beyond conventional press releases.
Mr Adedotun Keshinro, said the Command was increasingly treating public relations as part of its operational work, particularly in proactive engagement, crisis communication and building public trust.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership and management of Halogen Group for partnering with the NSCDC on the clinic.
The Executive Director, Operations and Services, Halogen Group, said private security companies should complement rather than operate separately from government security agencies.
He said combining the authority and reach of the NSCDC with the agility of private security organisations could create a stronger security shield around critical national assets.
He also called for joint training involving NSCDC personnel and Halogen staff to improve their capacity and effectiveness in the field.
The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Akinoso Oluwagbenga, used the occasion to highlight Nigeria’s vast mineral deposits and their distribution across the country.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen security around mining activities through better coordination and information sharing.
Professor Adedeji Oyenuga, from the Department of Sociology, Lagos State University, also called for closer cooperation with the NSCDC, saying such collaboration could improve intelligence gathering, emergency response and the precision of enforcement operations.
The discussion continued during a panel session moderated by Miss Cyndy Ezeh.
Other panelists included Mr Femi Kayode, Chairman Asis; Mr Charles Keku, MD Pahek Security Services; Professor Adedeji Oyenuga, PhD, Professor Criminology, Department of Sociology, Lagos State University; Comrade Adedotun Adewale, Lagos State Chairman Scrap Dealers Association; and Mrs Akinoso Taiwo Oluwagbenga, Director, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Also present were the Head, Talent and Risk, Mrs Sandra Iyoha; the Head, Human Capital, Mrs Olaide Akinyode; representatives of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), Lagos State Water Ways Authority (LASWA), SOL, GLI and Realtor Max, as well as representatives of several media organisations.
The Head of Administration, NSCDC Lagos State Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps Evans – Emmanuel Oluwatoyin, and Mrs Oluwarantimi Olaniyan, Head Marketing and Communications, Halogen Group, brought the event to a close.
The clinic ended with participants drawn from the NSCDC and other sectors gaining further insight into the security challenges surrounding mining and the need for coordinated action to protect the sector.
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