The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into alleged financial misconduct, funding irregularities and operational lapses within the Mining Marshals following claims that more than ₦2 billion was traced to the bank account of a State Commander of the security outfit.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Abdulmaleek Danga during Wednesday’s plenary, calling for a comprehensive probe into the activities, legal framework, funding structure and alleged corrupt practices within the Mining Marshals.
Presenting the motion, Danga recalled that the Mining Marshals Corps was inaugurated on March 21, 2024, by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Interior.
He said the corps, comprising more than 2,200 personnel drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was established to combat illegal mining, secure mining sites and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources.
According to the lawmaker, the unit derives its mandate from the NSCDC Act and the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, with responsibilities that include tackling illegal mining activities, improving security in mining communities and protecting government revenue from the solid minerals sector.
Danga, however, alleged that the Mining Marshals had deviated from their core mandate.
He claimed that some personnel lacked adequate knowledge of mining operations, leading to the harassment and wrongful arrest of legitimate mineral title holders, with such actions allegedly being presented as successes in the fight against illegal mining.
The lawmaker also raised concerns over alleged financial impropriety within the unit, particularly reports that more than ₦2 billion was discovered in the bank account of a State Commander of the Mining Marshals.
“The House is also concerned by grave allegations of financial impropriety within the unit, specifically the reported discovery of over ₦2 billion in the bank account of a State Commander of the Mining Marshals,” Danga said.
He further alleged that the officer involved was redeployed instead of being prosecuted or subjected to formal disciplinary proceedings, a development he said had raised concerns about possible compromise within the corps.
Danga also questioned the transparency surrounding the procurement of operational vehicles for the Mining Marshals, saying there was no clear evidence of legislative appropriation or budgetary provision for the expenditure.
He warned that the alleged financial and operational irregularities could undermine efforts to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources, encourage revenue leakages, worsen insecurity in mining communities and discourage investment in the solid minerals sector.
Following the adoption of the motion, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, directed the House Committee on Solid Minerals Development to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Mining Marshals nationwide.
The committee is expected to determine whether the corps is operating within its legal mandate, investigate the alleged corruption, including the reported ₦2 billion linked to a former State Commander, and examine similar cases across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Lawmakers also directed the committee to investigate the source of funds used to procure operational vehicles, external financial inflows into the unit, the budgetary framework supporting its operations, and the legality of the corps’ establishment, structure and composition.
The committee has been given four weeks to submit its report for further legislative action.
