The Federal Government is partnering with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illegal mining and associated financial crimes.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, confirmed the initiative in a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Segun Tomori.

The project, funded by the Canadian government, aims to enhance the capacity of criminal justice officials to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes tied to illegal mineral extraction, conflict financing, and money laundering.

Alake said President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains committed to stamping out illegal mining through comprehensive reforms.

He cited the Mining Marshals policy—an initiative launched under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)—as a key step to creating a dedicated security framework for the sector.

Personnel in the unit have received tactical training to intercept illegal miners and related criminal groups, with several arrests and prosecutions recorded.

“In the illegal mining space, we created the Mining Marshals. With the President’s approval, they’ve helped arrest and prosecute illegal miners across the country. This sends a clear message: these activities will no longer be tolerated,” he said.

The Minister added that more mining operators are now complying with regulations, and a satellite surveillance system has been approved to monitor operations in real-time and enable rapid security response.

During a courtesy visit to the Ministry, UNODC Counter-Terrorism Project Coordinator Tom Parker commended Nigeria’s efforts. He noted that since early 2024, 327 suspects have been arrested and 143 prosecuted through the Mining Marshals initiative.