By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has raised alarm over rampant illegal mining in the state, warning that gold is being secretly extracted under the guise of lead and zinc mining posing serious economic and security risks.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Governor Nwifuru described the situation as economic sabotage.
He said illegal miners are operating unchecked due to regulatory loopholes and a critical shortage of security personnel.
“Some people are mining lead and zinc, but they’re actually extracting gold. The country is losing a lot,” the governor lamented.
He decried the inadequacy of security manpower in Ebonyi, demanding the immediate deployment of 400 NSCDC operatives to curb the illegal activities.
According to him, the current NSCDC staffing in the state is less than what is typically assigned to a single local government in other states.
“What is our sin?” Nwifuru asked, pointing out that the military has had to fill in for civil defence due to the manpower gap.
While acknowledging that mining regulation and licensing are federally controlled, the governor submitted a list of 194 Ebonyi indigenes for consideration into the NSCDC—an effort aimed at boosting local enforcement and creating jobs.
“We don’t license miners. We don’t sign consent agreements. The federal government holds that power. So when you don’t give us manpower, what do we do?” he queried.
Governor Nwifuru also pledged logistical support for the Corps, offering 10 Hilux vans if the requested officers are deployed promptly.
Earlier in his remarks, Prof. Audi acknowledged the gravity of the situation and noted that over 600 illegal mining sites have been shut down nationwide, with more than 500 suspects both Nigerian and foreign currently under prosecution.
He reaffirmed NSCDC’s commitment to protecting mining zones and critical infrastructure, but emphasized that success hinges on “coordination, cooperation, and collaboration,” especially in volatile areas like Ebonyi.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the visit also included the commissioning of the new Saint Francis Chapel at the NSCDC headquarters in Abakaliki, built under the supervision of State Commandant Francis Nnadi to promote discipline and ethical policing.
