By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigerian Senate has passed a landmark bill establishing the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service, a specialised security outfit tasked with curbing illegal mining activities across the country.
The move comes in response to growing concerns over the economic, environmental, and security impact of unregulated mining operations — particularly the loss of government revenue, land degradation, and links to armed groups exploiting mineral-rich regions.
The proposed Mines Rangers Service will operate under the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and will be empowered to monitor mining sites, enforce mining regulations, and arrest violators in collaboration with other security agencies.
Lawmakers described the bill as a major step towards protecting Nigeria’s vast mineral resources and restoring order in the sector. The new service is expected to bring stronger enforcement, improved transparency, and support for legitimate mining operators.
With Senate approval secured, the bill now moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence before it can be signed into law by the President.
