The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps (NSCDC) have intensified collaboration aimed at tackling illegal mining
activities and disrupting financial networks linked to organised crime and terrorism.
The move follows growing concerns that proceeds from illegal mining operations are
increasingly being used to fund criminal groups and violent extremist activities across
Nigeria, West Africa and the wider Sahel region.
The partnership was reinforced during a strategic visit by a UNODC delegation to the
NSCDC Mining Marshals Corps, a specialised unit established to combat illegal mining and
protect Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Leading the delegation was the Chief of the Africa Section of the UNODC Terrorism
Prevention Branch, Tullio Santini, who commended the Mining Marshals for their efforts in
curbing illicit mining activities.
Santini noted that the increasing number of arrests and prosecutions recorded by the unit
demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the illegal exploitation of mineral
resources.
A major highlight of the engagement was the introduction of the UNODC Coordination
through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus (CONNECT) Initiative.
The programme, presented by Swedish Police law enforcement expert Robert Haslinger,
seeks to strengthen cooperation among governments and security agencies in identifying and
disrupting links between organised criminal networks and terrorist organisations.
Nigeria is among the countries expected to participate in the initiative, which is scheduled for
launch in November 2026.
Responding on behalf of the NSCDC Commandant-General, the Commander of the Mining
Marshals, Assistant Commandant John Attah, welcomed the partnership and acknowledged
the role of UNODC in building the operational capacity of the specialised unit.
He noted that previous training programmes supported by UNODC had enhanced
cooperation between the Mining Marshals and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit,
particularly in intelligence gathering and financial investigations.
Attah advocated for the formal inclusion of the Mining Marshals in the CONNECT Initiative,
arguing that efforts to combat terrorism financing must also address the illegal exploitation of
mineral resources.
He explained that while the unit’s primary responsibility is combating illegal mining, its
personnel also support broader national security operations whenever necessary.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that illegal mining remains a significant source of
funding for criminal and insurgent groups, making stronger collaboration between law
enforcement agencies and international partners increasingly important.
