Mining office accuses NSCDC commandant, Niger mineral resources commissioner of unauthorised operations

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Read History Go to My Account Log Out Enhanced by Google News Mining office accuses NSCDC commandant, Niger mineral resources commissioner of unauthorised operations Henry Temidayo Bolawale, the North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, has accused the suspended Niger State Commandant

Listen to this article Share Henry Temidayo Bolawale, the North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, has accused the suspended Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources of allegedly conducting unauthorised operations at mining sites, including arresting miners and seizing minerals.

Bolawale made the allegations while testifying before the nine-member Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Justice Mohammed Mohammed, investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody in Niger State.

He told the Commission that Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, had directed the withdrawal of the NSCDC Mining Marshal from enforcement operations at mining sites nationwide, but alleged that the directive was being disregarded in Niger State.

According to him, Alake had repeatedly directed Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the NSCDC Commandant-General, to withdraw the Mining Marshal from such operations, maintaining that the unit was authorised to operate only under the supervision of the corps’ national headquarters.

Bolawale further explained that upon assuming duty in Niger State, he paid courtesy visits to security agencies, including the state command of the NSCDC, to seek their cooperation in tackling illegal mining and sanitising mining activities.

He, however, alleged that the suspended state commandant and the head of the mining marshal in the state failed to cooperate with his office and continued to conduct operations at mining sites without notifying him.

The coordinator added that he also visited Mohammed Qasim Danjuuma, the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, to seek the Ministry’s support in regulating mining activities and curbing illegal operations.

He accused the commissioner and the mining marshal of arresting miners and seizing gold and other mineral resources without accounting for the recovered materials to the appropriate authorities.

Bolawale cited the arrest of a Chinese national, whom he said held a valid mining licence, as an example of what he described as unlawful enforcement.

He alleged that officials under the commissioner seized minerals extracted by the Chinese national, adding that the incident subsequently prompted contact from the Minister’s Office in Abuja.

“I met the commissioner to inform him that the arrest of the Chinese national was illegal, but he refused to listen,” Bolawale told the Commission.

He further alleged that the commissioner continued to collaborate with the Mining Marshal despite being aware of the regulatory responsibilities of the Mining Cadastral Office.

According to the witness, the alleged operations were conducted at mining locations, including M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto, without the involvement or notification of his Office.

Bolawale described the situation as disturbing, stressing that the Mining Cadastral Office was responsible for regulating mineral titles and related activities within its jurisdiction.

He said his office had received several complaints about the activities of the NSCDC Mining Marshal at mining sites, insisting that the operations were unauthorised under the ministerial directive he cited.

The coordinator further told the commission that, under the arrangement he described, the Mining Marshal was permitted to operate through the NSCDC national headquarters under the supervision of its head, Assistant Commandant-General Onoja.

The allegations are expected to form part of the issues the Commission will consider as it examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody and the conduct of mining enforcement operations in Niger State.