Illegal mining reduced by 30% — NSCDC boss 

THE Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, has revealed that the activities of illegal miners have been reduced by 30 per cent as a result of increased surveillance effort of the corps.

He made this known when the Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness Yahaya Abubakar, paid a visit to the headquarters of the corps in Abuja.

“In the solid mineral sector, the corps has cut down activities of illegal miners to 30 per cent,” he said.

In his welcome address, Gana acknowledged the roles and contributions of the Etsu Nupe to the corps from inception, as one of the pillars behind the success of the corps.

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He particularly appreciated Abubakar for the land donated for the building of a training school in Bida, Niger State, saying it was his goodwill to the corps’ divisional office in Bida and the support given to corps personnel.

Gana, therefore, assured the traditional ruler of corps readiness in constructing the training institute as soon as possible with all the necessary equipment on ground.

He noted that the corps’ mandate was to protect critical infrastructure and national assets, as well as regulating, monitoring and licensing of the private guards companies and managing of disaster rescue operations, among others.

He stressed that the Federal Government has charged the corps to intervene in the crisis between herders and farmers by providing physical security for the proposed cattle ranches and the agro allied investment in the country. This he said explains hence the formation of the Agro- Rangers Unit in the corps to tackle insecurity in the area of cattle rustling and banditry.

The Etsu Nupe applauded the efforts of the corps in tackling security challenges and contributing immensely to the security.

He said he was glad that the corps which was established as a small outfit at the grass roots has  today metamorphosed into an enviable height due to the way its personnel are discharging their duties.

Abubakar, therefore, called on the federal, state and local governments as well as other stakeholders to come to the aid of the corps by supporting it with logistics and other grants to improve the welfare and condition of the personnel for better and efficient service delivery.

He restated that criminals are highly equipped with sophisticated and technological equipment, hence there is need for the corps to be equipped and empowered with modern technology to carry out its mandate.

He appealed to Gana and the entire management team to keep up the good job they were doing, while assuring them of continuous support at all times stating that his door was always open for consultation and assistance.