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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Edo miners, NSCDC disagree over harassment, extortion claim

From The Punch · (5m ago) English Mixed tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Edo State accused the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) of harassing and extorting members over royalty payments.
  • MAN claims NSCDC operatives, particularly special marshals, are imposing arbitrary levies on pulverised mineral materials, causing unrest.
  • The NSCDC denied the allegations, suggesting impersonation and challenging miners to provide evidence of extortion, while also stating no formal complaints were received.

In Edo State, Nigeria, a significant dispute has emerged between the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) concerning allegations of harassment and extortion. Alhaji Fatai Jimoh, Acting Chairman of MAN in Edo State, voiced strong accusations at the association's Annual General Meeting, stating that NSCDC operatives have been subjecting their members to undue intimidation and financial exploitation. The core of the grievance appears to be the arbitrary enforcement of royalty payments on pulverised mineral materials, particularly dolomite, with special marshals allegedly deployed to monitor trucks and impose unjustified levies.

The deployment of special marshals to check trucks conveying solid minerals has resulted in undue harassment and extortion of our members.

— Alhaji Fatai JimohActing Chairman of MAN in Edo State, detailing the alleged actions of NSCDC operatives.

Jimoh highlighted that this enforcement has disrupted the sector and created unrest. He noted that the contentious issue of royalty payments for pulverised dolomite has been escalated to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. The association is actively seeking a resolution, emphasizing that official correspondence has been sent to the ministry for due attention. MAN is also working to clarify controversies surrounding marble royalty, suggesting that some materials classified as marble might be more accurately identified as calcite, and is pursuing proper government gazetting for this classification.

The contentious issue of royalty payment on pulverised dolomite was decisively addressed by the state executives, and the matter is currently receiving due attention from the minister.

— Alhaji Fatai JimohExplaining the escalation of the royalty payment dispute to the Federal Ministry.

Conversely, the NSCDC in Edo State, through its spokesman Efosa Ogbebor, has vehemently denied these accusations. The corps suggested that misguided elements might be impersonating NSCDC personnel and challenged the miners to come forward with credible evidence of extortion. Ogbebor insisted that the NSCDC has not received any formal complaints regarding such activities. The Edo State Ministry of Mining, represented by Permanent Secretary Omoruyi Martina, has called for stronger collaboration between the ministry and mining operators, emphasizing its role as a regulatory body committed to developing the mining sector through guiding laws and ensuring its thriving.

Some misguided elements may impersonate NSCDC personnel, but if miners have credible evidence, they should come forward.

— Efosa OgbeborSpokesman for the NSCDC in Edo State, denying the allegations and requesting proof.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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