The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has called for enhanced collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals in response to the alarming connections between illegal mining, organized crime, and terrorism in Nigeria and the West African region. This appeal came during a strategic visit by a UNODC delegation to the Mining Marshals Corps, where they commended the unit for its growing role in combating illegal mining and associated criminal activities.

During the visit, Tullio Santini, the Chief of the Africa Section of the Terrorism Prevention Branch, praised the Mining Marshals for their enforcement efforts, citing the increasing number of arrests and prosecutions as evidence of Nigeria's commitment to tackling the illicit trade. Santini stated, "The rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade."

The UNODC's mission in Nigeria aims to strengthen partnerships, engage development partners, and review ongoing field operations. A key focus of the discussions was the upcoming launch of the UNODC Coordination through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus initiative, set for November 2026. This initiative, introduced by Robert Haslinger, a law enforcement expert from the Swedish Police, is designed to enhance cooperation among governments and law enforcement agencies to disrupt the financial and operational links between organized crime and terrorism.

John Attah, the Assistant Commandant of the Mining Marshals, who represented the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, welcomed the UNODC delegation and emphasized the importance of their partnership in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Mining Marshals. He noted that previous UNODC-supported training programs had significantly improved collaboration between the Mining Marshals and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, enhancing their ability to conduct intelligence-led operations against illegal mining syndicates.

Attah highlighted the unique position of the Mining Marshals within Nigeria's security framework, reporting to multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. While their primary mandate is to suppress illegal mining activities, the officers also support broader national security operations as needed. He advocated for the formal inclusion of the Mining Marshals in the CONNECT Initiative, stressing that disrupting the financial foundations of terrorist organizations necessitates greater attention to illegal mineral exploitation.

The growing nexus between illegal mining and terrorism has become a pressing concern for Nigeria's national security. This issue is part of the rationale behind the Federal Government's ongoing reforms in the mining sector, with the Mining Marshals emerging as a vital enforcement tool in the fight against illegal resource exploitation.

Attah also called for expanded capacity-building programs focusing on terrorism-related concepts, regional intelligence cooperation, and peer-learning opportunities to enhance the unit's ability to address evolving threats posed by illicit mining. The UNODC officials commended the institutional structure of the Mining Marshals, describing it as a notable model within Nigeria's law enforcement ecosystem, capable of handling illegal mining cases from intelligence gathering to prosecution.

The meeting concluded with the exchange of publications, a commemorative photograph session, and renewed commitments to strengthen collaboration against the increasing convergence of resource-related crime and terrorism in Nigeria and the broader region.