UNODC, NSCDC Strengthen Alliance Against Illegal Mining, Terror Financing

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has urged intensified cooperation with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals. This call comes amidst escalating worries regarding the increasing connections between illicit mining operations, organised criminal syndicates, and terrorist groups throughout Nigeria, West Africa, and the broader Sahel region. The appeal was made during a high-level visit by a UNODC team to the Mining Marshals Corps, where the global agency lauded the specialized unit for its growing effectiveness in combating unlawful mining and associated criminal enterprises. Assistant Commandant of Corps, John Attah, who commands the Mining Marshals, confirmed these developments in a press release issued from Abuja on Monday.

Leading the UNODC delegation was Tullio Santini, Chief of the Terrorism Prevention Branch's Africa Section. Santini specifically commended the Mining Marshals for their robust enforcement activities, noting, “The rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade.” This visit formed part of a wider UNODC initiative aimed at bolstering collaborations within Nigeria, engaging with various development partners, and assessing current field operations.

A significant agenda item during the discussions was the presentation of the UNODC Coordination through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus (CONNECT) initiative. Robert Haslinger, a law enforcement expert from the Swedish Police, introduced this program. The CONNECT Initiative's core purpose is to enhance collaboration among national governments and various law enforcement bodies, aiming to sever the financial and operational ties that exist between organised criminal syndicates and terrorist organisations. Nigeria has been extended an invitation to join this crucial initiative, which is slated to commence in November 2026.

In his response, Assistant Commandant Attah, standing in for the NSCDC Commandant-General, Professor Ahmed Audi, extended a warm welcome to the UNODC team. He characterised the global body as an indispensable ally in boosting the operational capacities of the Mining Marshals. Attah highlighted that “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.”

Attah further elaborated on the distinctive role of the Mining Marshals within Nigeria’s overall security framework, explaining that they report to three key ministries: the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the NSCDC itself. He clarified that while their core mission is to curb illegal mining, these officers, who are members of the NSCDC, are also deployed to support wider national security operations as needed. Attah seized the moment to advocate for the official integration of the Mining Marshals into the CONNECT Initiative, stressing that “disrupting the financial foundations of terrorist organisations requires greater attention to the illegal exploitation of mineral resources.”

According to Attah, the deepening link between unlawful mining and terrorism has gained significant importance in Nigeria's national security considerations. He pointed out that this emerging connection partially accounts for the Federal Government's current reforms within the mining sector, positioning the Mining Marshals as a pivotal enforcement tool in the campaign against the illicit exploitation of Nigeria's valuable mineral resources. The commander of the Marshals also appealed for broadened capacity development initiatives. These programmes, he suggested, should encompass concepts related to terrorism, foster regional intelligence sharing, and provide peer-learning opportunities, all aimed at bolstering the unit's capability to address the dynamic threats linked to illicit mining.

In Nigeria, illegal mining has progressively become a major security concern. Authorities have consistently cautioned that funds generated from the unlawful extraction of mineral resources can serve as a significant source of financing for organised criminal activities and contribute to overall insecurity. Officials from the UNODC praised the institutional framework of the Mining Marshals, identifying it as an exemplary model within Nigeria's law enforcement landscape. They observed that the unit possesses an exceptionally wide operational scope, enabling it to manage illegal mining incidents comprehensively – from initial intelligence collection and preventative measures to arrests, investigations, and subsequent prosecutions.

Furthermore, the UNODC officials drew attention to the Marshals' application of non-kinetic strategies, such as engaging with stakeholders and conducting community outreach programs, in their efforts to combat illegal mining. The meeting concluded with a ceremonial exchange of publications, a group photograph, and a reaffirmation of pledges to intensify collaboration against the escalating convergence of crimes related to natural resources and terrorism, both within Nigeria and across the broader West African region.