The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has warned Nigerians against the confrontation, harassment and blackmail of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals.

Mr Alake gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja, at the inauguration of eight new gun trucks on Wednesday at the NSCDC Headquarters.

He said that anyone with intentions to discredit and frustrate the efforts of the mining marshals in sanitising the solid minerals sector of the economy would be seen as a saboteur.

He also said that some mining marshals have been challenged by persons and institutions who, in his estimation, were direct beneficiaries of illegal mining activities.

“Anyone, whether a uniformed personnel or not, who seeks to frustrate the noble works of these mining marshals is an economic saboteur and will be treated as such. That I can promise you.

“Once you aid, sponsor or operate in illegal mining sites, the government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring your arrest,” he said.

The minister said that the inauguration of the gun trucks was just the beginning of the greater plans the ministry had for the mining marshals.

He also said that the ministry’s budget had made provision for the purchase of modern technological gadgets, including armoured vests and vehicles, to further protect the mining marshals.

“We shall continue at the administrative level to ensure we put all necessary things and support in place to smoothen your operations,” he assured.

Mr Alake commended the operations of the mining marshals, adding that their success stories had successfully sent a strong message to illegal mining operators.

“It is no longer business as usual to flout the lines of regulations in Nigeria, as there will be consequences,” he warned.

He disclosed that the marshals, in the last two years, had successfully arrested more than 300 illegal miners, prosecuted more than 100 and made several convictions of illegal miners from across the country.

“If we are able to drastically reduce their activities, more revenue will flow into the country as we have been able to attract more investors both locally and internationally following the active clampdown of these illegal operators,” he also said.

He added that efforts had been made to sanitise the special unit by ensuring operatives of the mining marshals possessed the right values.

In his remarks, the Mining Marshal Commander, John Onoja, appreciated the minister, as well as the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the management of the NSCDC for equipping the unit with more operational vehicles.

He noted that the minister was determined to ensure the fight against illegal mining was about putting words to action and not just rhetoric.

“We are privileged to acquire this standard gun truck to further strengthen our operations across the nation,” he said.

The commander assured that the gun trucks would be adequately deployed and effectively utilised to combat the activities of illegal miners across the country.

The mining marshals used the opportunity to unveil a book, titled “The Guardians of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals: Two Years of Commitment and Service”

(NAN)