- COMDT. Elijah Willie vows to tackle illegal miners
On Thursday, 7th November 2024, Commandant Elijah Etim Willie and other Principal staff of the State Command,, hosted officials from the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Enugu Zonal Office, at the State Command. The delegation included Zonal Mines Officer, Engr. Oluwole Clement Tunbosun, Accountant Mr. Enajiyedin Oke, and Engr. Ebede Charles.
Engr. Tunbosun addressed the critical issue of illegal mining and the obstacles faced in the ministry’s operations. He called for enhanced synergy between the NSCDC and the ministry to streamline communication on approved mining operators, ensuring only those with proper authorization continue operations. He further stressed the need for collaboration in tackling the growing illegality in the mining sector.
Commandant Elijah Etim Willie warmly welcomed the ministry’s team, sharing insights from his experience as the former NSCDC Commandant in Niger State, where he had worked extensively in the mining sector. He assured the officials that the NSCDC, as the lead agency for the protection of critical national assets, would continue to work closely with the ministry to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources. Commandant Willie emphasized that the corps follows due process in apprehending illegal miners, ensuring their prompt arrest and prosecution.
The meeting concluded with group photographs, marking the success of the discussions and the strengthened commitment between the two bodies to combat illegal mining activities.