The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, urging the National Assembly to dismiss what they described as “false and disparaging” allegations made against the unit by a federal lawmaker from Kogi State.
The petition comes days after the member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Danga, raised a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives calling for a comprehensive investigation into the operations, funding and legal status of the Mining Marshals.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Danga accused the specialised enforcement unit of operating beyond its statutory mandate, alleging that its personnel had engaged in the unlawful arrest and detention of licensed miners, extortion, abuse of power and financial misconduct.
In their petition addressed to Speaker Abbas, the Mining Marshals rejected the claims in their entirety, describing them as misleading, unfounded and capable of undermining the credibility of a unit established to combat illegal mining and safeguard the nation’s mineral resources.
The Marshals urged the House of Representatives to disregard the allegations, insisting that their operations have remained within the confines of the law and in line with the mandate assigned to them.
The petition sets the stage for a fresh confrontation between the lawmaker and the NSCDC unit, as attention shifts to whether the House will proceed with the proposed investigation or first consider the Mining Marshals’ response to the allegations.
