Nigeria’s War on Illegal Mining Needs the Media on the Frontlines
By Zekeri Idakwo Laruba
Illegal mining in Nigeria has shed its skin. It is no longer a distant crime festering in remote, rural obscurity. It has metastasized into a voracious national crisis—a silent, gaping wound on our economy and a direct, existential threat to our collective security. For too long, our response has been fragmented, with security agencies, the media, and local communities operating in isolated silos, allowing the scourge to flourish.
This is why the recent call from John Onoja Attah, Commander of the Mining Marshals, is not just timely; it is a strategic masterstroke. He articulated a simple yet profound truth: Nigeria cannot win this war without a unified front, and that front must include the media as a core partner. Attah’s assertion marks a crucial shift in strategy, recognizing that this battle is not merely about economic crime, but a struggle for our nation’s survival, sovereignty, and future stability.
Enter the Mining Marshals, a formidable, specialized unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Established under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the directive of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, this force is not another temporary task force. It is a permanent, legally mandated arm of the state, created with a singular mission: to protect Nigeria’s vast and vulnerable mineral wealth.
Their resolve is already evident. In a short span, they have moved to seal illegal mining camps, enforce long-ignored provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, and prosecute both unlicensed and erring licensed operators. Yet, their formidable task is complicated by more than just violent criminal syndicates. They are also battling a pervasive and equally dangerous enemy: a tide of misinformation, false narratives, and public apathy, often sponsored by the very interests they seek to dismantle.
The cost of this illicit enterprise is staggering. We speak of billions of naira in lost annual revenue, but the true damage is far more profound. From Zamfara to Nasarawa, illegal mining cartels have become the primary financiers of banditry, arms trafficking, and insurgency. Our farmlands are being poisoned, our water sources polluted, and our social fabric torn apart. To tackle illegal mining, therefore, is to directly dismantle a critical pipeline of insecurity that fuels the violence terrorizing our nation.
This is the battlefield where the media must now rise to its highest calling. Nigerian journalism has a proud history of serving as a watchdog of the state and an educator of society. In this new fight, it must assume a third, equally vital role: that of a strategic partner in national security.
Let us be clear. Attah’s call is not for sycophantic propaganda. It is a call for a partnership built on a shared commitment to truth and a collective rejection of the “rogue journalism” that sensationalizes or peddles false reports for profit. Such narratives do more than tarnish the reputation of a fledgling security unit; they embolden criminals, erode public trust, and actively sabotage the national interest.
The media’s mandate is clear: deploy the power of investigative reporting to expose the shadowy networks and kingpins behind this trade. Amplify the voices of terrorized communities and hold all stakeholders—including the government and security agencies—accountable. Just as the press once shone an unwavering light on oil theft in the Niger Delta, it must now reveal the massive, silent theft of gold, lithium, and other strategic minerals bleeding out through our porous borders.
However, the burden cannot rest on the Marshals and the media alone. The Marshals operate in hostile, challenging terrains, often facing violent resistance from heavily armed syndicates. Furthermore, in many impoverished communities, illegal mining is perceived as the only path to economic survival—a perception that enforcement alone cannot change. Without grassroots engagement and community sensitization, a purely militarized approach risks fueling hostility and resentment.
The path forward demands a grand, joint coalition. Security forces must work in concert with journalists, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and legitimate miners. Together, they can reshape public narratives and promote legal mining as a sustainable, community-benefitting alternative. There are already encouraging signs, with key stakeholders aligning with the Marshals and licensed operators reporting renewed confidence.
Ultimately, this is a moral imperative. Every ton of mineral stolen today represents a school left unfunded, a hospital unequipped, and a community left vulnerable. Commander Attah’s powerful reminder that “this struggle is for our children and generations unborn” must resonate with every Nigerian.
The time for silos is over. The time for a united front is now. Only through such a coalition can we transform Nigeria’s immense mineral wealth from a curse of conflict into our nation’s greatest blessing of shared prosperity.
Zekeri Idakwo Laruba is Assistant Editor of the Economic Confidential.