Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Pledges Continental Cooperation in Combating Illegal Mining and Resource Sabotage

Strategic Insights -

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with security agencies across the continent to combat the menace of illegal mining and resource sabotage. Addressing the 12th Annual African Security Symposium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, represented by ACG Muktar Lawal, emphasized the strategic role of the NSCDC in safeguarding Africa's natural resources. He highlighted the importance of joint collaboration and partnership by security agencies to end the illegal theft of African resources by criminal elements.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NSCDC is committed to collaborating with security agencies across the continent to combat illegal mining and resource sabotage, which deplete national wealth, threaten regional stability, and fuel insecurity.
  • The NSCDC has been strategically positioned to play a leading role in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, including oil pipelines, power installations, and mining sites.
  • The corps has achieved significant successes in curtailing illegal mining, dismantling illegal refineries, apprehending vandals, and protecting Nigeria's vital economic lifelines through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation, community engagement, and the deployment of specialized units.
  • The NSCDC believes that combating illegal mining and resource sabotage requires enhanced cross-border intelligence sharing, joint training and capacity building for resource protection forces, harmonized legal frameworks to criminalize illegal mining and sabotage across the continent, and the deployment of advanced technologies such as drone surveillance, geospatial monitoring, and data-driven enforcement strategies.
  • Implementation of these continent-wide initiatives under the frameworks of the African Union, ECOWAS, and other regional bodies is crucial for dismantling the networks that undermine resource security.
  • The NSCDC has a track record of success in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, leading to a significant increase in revenue generation.

Sources:

  • The address delivered by Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi at the 12th Annual African Security Symposium held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Engr. Jator Abido, a Consultant and MD/CEO of Yatov Consult International Limited