Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps: UN Partners NSCDC to Combat Illegal Mining Terror Funding

• The UNODC has partnered with Nigeria's NSCDC Mining Marshals to combat illegal mining terror funding.
• The partnership is part of a broader mission to strengthen partnerships in Nigeria and review ongoing field operations.
• Nigeria is among the countries invited to participate in the CONNECT Initiative, which aims to launch in November 2026.
• The initiative seeks to disrupt financial links between organized crime networks and terrorist groups.

The previous UNODC-supported training programmes had significantly improved collaboration between the Mining Marshals and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, enhancing the ability of both institutions to coordinate investigations and intelligence-led operations against illegal mining syndicates.

A recent visit by a UN delegation to Nigeria's Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) marked a significant step in the fight against illegal mining terror funding. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been working closely with the NSCDC Mining Marshals, a specialized unit tasked with tackling illicit mining activities. Led by Chief of the Africa Section of the Terrorism Prevention Branch Tullio Santini, the UNODC delegation commended the Mining Marshals for their expanding role in combating illegal mining and related crimes. The visit was part of a broader mission to strengthen partnerships in Nigeria and review ongoing field operations. A key focus area during the meeting was the introduction of the CONNECT Initiative, a program designed to disrupt financial links between organized crime networks and terrorist groups. Nigeria is among the countries invited to participate in the initiative, which aims to launch in November 2026.

The growing nexus between illegal mining and terrorism has become increasingly relevant to Nigeria's national security calculations. The Federal Government's ongoing reforms in the mining sector are aimed at addressing this concern, with the Mining Marshals emerging as a key enforcement instrument in the fight against illicit exploitation of mineral resources. The NSCDC Mining Marshals occupy a unique position within Nigeria's security architecture, reporting to both the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. While their primary mandate remains the suppression of illegal mining activities, they also support broader national security operations when required. This dual role has enabled the unit to effectively tackle evolving threats associated with illicit mining.

The partnership between the UNODC and NSCDC Mining Marshals is a critical step in addressing the complex issue of illegal mining terror funding. The rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria's commitment to tackling the illicit trade, but more needs to be done to disrupt the financial foundations of terrorist organizations. Disrupting these links requires greater attention to the illegal exploitation of mineral resources, which is why the inclusion of the Mining Marshals in the CONNECT Initiative is crucial. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among governments and law enforcement agencies in disrupting the financial and operational links between organized criminal networks and terrorist groups.

Lawyers should watch for the potential implications of the Federal Government's mining sector reforms, particularly how they may impact existing mining operations and compliance with regulations.

Source: Original reporting via The Guardian