By Abbanobi – Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Minister, Federal Ministry of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has commended the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi for his relentless efforts by deploying highly trained personnel to protect the nation’s Critical National Assets And Infrastructure (CNAI), in line with the mandate of the paramilitary under his supervision, according to National Public Relations Officer, NSCDC Headquarters, Abuja Thursday.
The Minister was represented by the Secretary, Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Controller of Corrections Ahmed Ja’afaru (Rtd), who delivered a keynote address at the Passing out Parade of the 3rd batch of the NSCDC Mining Marshals at the National Headquarters in Abuja.
Dr Tunni-Ojo maintained that with the level of rigorous training and knowledge-driven skills imparted into the Mining Marshals, there is hope and a future for the nation because the protection of the CNAI is a sine qua non to the economy of any nation. He noted that the Audi-led Administration has paved the way for officers and men to go through the requisite training needed to enhance the security architecture of the country, calling on the newly trained operatives to leverage the laudable opportunity and discharge their duties effectively. without compromise.
In his remarks, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Henry Dele Alake who was represented by the Director of Federal Mines and Steel, Engr Imam Ganiyu said a close look at the achievements recorded by the NSCDC under the current leadership shows that the collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel has brought about a significant change in the mining sector.
He further spoke on the need to intensify efforts to generate more revenue for the Federal government and create more jobs for the teaming youths.
While welcoming them, the NSCDC Boss reiterated that the mining Marshals codenamed ‘Operation Hayakin logo’ was commissioned to provide safety and security for the mining industry and effect the arrests of economic saboteurs. Informing that the mining industry would soon experience a positive turnaround as the Corps would not relent in waging war against illegal mining activities across the board, he added that over 300 suspects and over 200 mining sites have been recovered from illegal miners and bandits.
Reaffirming his commitment to follow through with the renewed hope agenda of Mr President, Audi declared that there had been a high level of compliance with mining laws and regulations in Nigeria as illegal miners, industry espionage and economic saboteurs all are being stamped out. He further sough more collaboration in areas of training and retraining and for more sophisticated equipment for effective policing of the over 1,000 detected illegal mining sites across the country, just as he charged them to be diligent, loyal, and remain focused on the job as there are internal mechanisms to monitor the activities of personnel.
There were also highlights of activities and activities of the CG’S SIS and Mining Marshals as presented by the Squad Commander CC Appolos Dandaura and ACC Attah John Onja respectively. Another high point of the ceremony was the official inauguration of the office of the CG’s SIS and the office of Mining Marshals by the dignitaries present.
