UN, NSCDC partner to tackle terror funding from illegal mining

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is pushing for enhanced cooperation with Nigeria's Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals to address the growing nexus between illegal mining, organized crime, and terrorism. This call for collaboration emerged during a strategic visit by a UNODC delegation to the specialized unit in Abuja.

Tullio Santini, Chief of the Africa Section of the UNODC's Terrorism Prevention Branch, commended the Mining Marshals for their expanding role and enforcement efforts, noting that the "rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade." The visit was part of a broader UNODC mission to bolster partnerships in Nigeria and review ongoing operations.

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The rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade.

A key focus was the introduction of the UNODC's Coordination through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus (CONNECT) Initiative. Designed to strengthen inter-governmental and law enforcement cooperation, the initiative aims to disrupt the financial and operational ties between criminal networks and terrorist groups. Nigeria has been invited to join the program, scheduled to launch in November 2026.

Assistant Commandant John Attah, representing the NSCDC Commandant-General, welcomed the UNODC's partnership, highlighting how previous UNODC-supported training had significantly improved collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit. This enhanced coordination aids investigations and intelligence-led operations against illegal mining syndicates. Attah emphasized the Mining Marshals' unique position within Nigeria's security structure and advocated for their formal inclusion in the CONNECT Initiative, stressing that disrupting terrorist financing is crucial.

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The previous UNODC-supported training programmes had significantly improved collaboration between the Mining Marshals and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, enhancing the ability of both institutions to coordinate investigations and intelligence-led operations against illegal mining syndicates.