Mining Marshal Under Scrutiny As Official Links Security Operations To Alleged D*aths of Miners

An Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Hajiya Halima Omolara Ibrahim, has accused operatives of the Mining Marshal of assaulting and unlawfully detaining her while she was carrying out her official responsibilities at a mining site in Kwakuti, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Ibrahim made the allegations while appearing before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who reportedly died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to Bush Radio Academy, the ministry official told the commission that the incident occurred on April 17, 2026, when Mining Marshal operatives allegedly led by SC Jibrin Mohammed raided the mining location and arrested her alongside some artisanal miners.

She claimed that despite presenting her official identification card and explaining her position, the operatives ignored her credentials and refused to listen to her explanation.

Ibrahim alleged that she was beaten, strangled, dragged along the ground and humiliated before being forced into a waiting vehicle and taken to the Mining Marshal’s headquarters in Minna. She said she was detained between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Recounting her experience before the commission, she alleged that the assault left her with facial bruises and torn clothing.

The assistant director explained that her official responsibilities included registering artisanal miners, monitoring their activities and ensuring compliance with established mining regulations. She disclosed that her office had registered approximately 400 artisanal miners to work alongside licensed operators in Niger State.

She further accused the Mining Marshal of carrying out enforcement operations without involving her department, despite an existing working relationship between the ministry’s enforcement unit and security agencies.

The witness also levelled allegations of extortion against the operatives, claiming they collected between ₦6 million and ₦7 million from miners and seized quantities of mined gold during their operations.

Ibrahim reportedly submitted documentary evidence to support her testimony, which the commission admitted as exhibits.

Addressing the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners, she told the panel that her office was not informed about the operation that allegedly resulted in their deaths between September 16 and 17, 2026.

She also claimed that other miners had died during security operations in different parts of Niger State without receiving similar public attention. She specifically mentioned Korokpa and Garafini in Borgu Local Government Area, as well as Kwakuti in Paikoro Local Government Area, as locations where such incidents allegedly occurred during NSCDC operations.

According to Ibrahim, the deaths of the 37 miners attracted widespread attention because they occurred while the victims were in the custody of the security agency.

The judicial commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths, alongside allegations of misconduct and other concerns arising from mining enforcement activities in Niger State.

The allegations made by the witness are yet to be independently established, and the commission is expected to consider the evidence presented as part of its investigation.