Attah John Onoja, the commander of the Special Mining Marshals, a unit in the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) created with the cardinal objective of fighting economic sabotage and illegal mining of our nation’s resources has bagged an award of recognition.
This is in appreciation of his gallantry and fearlessness in giving illegal miners a bloody nose, aiming to protect the nation’s underneath-the-earth abundant mineral resources.
The National Merit House, Abuja where he was conferred with “Most Resourceful Operational Officer” in Nigeria by the National Crimewatch Magazine was full to capacity, hosting who-is-who on the nation’s political, security, business and social cycles.
In July, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, through the Chairman of its Committee on Solid Minerals, Jonathan Gbefwi, disclosed that illegal mining activities in the country costs about $9bn annually. This, by all indices, is alarming and calls for drastic action.
Happening at a time when the country needs all revenue streams to function optimally to fund the budget and deliver good governance to the over 200 million population who are in dire need of improved living standards, the NSCDC has taken up the gauntlet to say no to economic sabotage in the country.
This campaign has gained a new steam through the efforts of its Mining marshals unit, lead by Attah John Onoja, an Assistant Commandant of NSCDC believed to have played a critical role in protecting communities and environment from the devastating impacts of activities of illegal miners.
Despite the effrontery at which these elements have operated in territories, Onoja and his men have braced up courage, doggedness and unprecedented determination to curtail their illegal activities
A campaign being championed by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, the onslaught against illegal mining through the Mining Marshals has recorded significant milestones, assisting to shore up the nation’s revenue collection in the sector.
Among other catalogue of achievements, the Mining Marshals since creation have arrested no fewer than 200 suspects involved in harvesting the country’s rich mineral resources without authorization, sending the right signal that hard times await those nursing the intention of engaging in such unpatriotic activities.
Additionally, the Marshals have ensured that those arrested are brought to justice, with 133 cases currently being prosecuted.
The team, radiating uncommon zeal and no-nonsense, has also seized minerals worth millions, denying illegal miners the financial benefits of their nefarious activities.
Tony Okpe, convener of the awards, noted that winners emerged through a rigorous process, bestowing the deserving weight of merit on all those who were honored.
This achievement highlights the efforts of the visionary Commandant General of NSCDC, Abubakar Ahmed Audi, to use this task force to rid our nation of criminal elements whose stock-in-trade is to feed from crookery and criminality.
Onoja and his team are sending a very clear message — no hiding place for any mafia group intending to hold the country by the jugular through nefarious activities.
Just like the saying goes, the reward for hard work is more work. It is also hoped that this recognition will serve as a ‘morale booster’ to the fiery Onoja and his team to reduce to the barest minimum alarming revenue leakage in our great nation.
