DECAN HONOURS MINING MARSHALS COMMANDER ONOJA FOR OUTSTANDING OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL MINING

By Anthonia N. Okwuolise

The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, with its Outstanding Operational Commander’s Award in recognition of his operational leadership and contribution to efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The award was presented at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards, held on October 12 at the Nigerian Army Command Officers’ Mess 1, WU Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja. The recognition highlights the importance of effective security leadership and intelligence-driven operations in addressing illegal mining, a persistent challenge with serious implications for Nigeria’s economy, environmental protection and national security.

Onoja attributed the recognition to the leadership philosophy and institutional direction of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, mni, OFR, acknowledging the strategic guidance under which the corps continues to pursue its mandate of protecting critical national assets and combating illegal activities within the mining sector.

The recognition came as security stakeholders gathered at the DECAN conference to examine emerging threats and explore practical ways of strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture through technology, intelligence sharing and improved inter-agency collaboration.

The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” underscored the growing understanding that effective security operations require more than physical enforcement. Timely intelligence, technological innovation, professional coordination and sustained operational capacity are increasingly essential to achieving lasting results.

In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Air Commodore Stephen Ogunmodele, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), stressed that military firepower alone could not guarantee national security. He emphasised the importance of intelligence in identifying threats, understanding criminal networks and enabling security agencies to conduct more precise and effective operations.

Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, highlighted the importance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, space-based surveillance and intelligence fusion, in improving operational effectiveness and strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to evolving security challenges.

These priorities are particularly relevant to the work of the Mining Marshals, whose mandate includes tackling illegal mining, protecting mineral resources and disrupting illicit activities across the mining sector. Illegal extraction not only threatens the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources but can also undermine lawful economic activity and weaken government efforts to ensure that mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to national development.

Effective enforcement, however, requires more than raids and arrests. Sustained progress depends on credible intelligence, continuous monitoring of mining locations, cooperation among security and regulatory agencies, and appropriate follow-up measures to prevent offenders from returning to illegal operations.

The conference also highlighted the importance of responsible information management in modern security operations, particularly amid the growing threat of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation. Defence correspondents were encouraged to uphold professional standards, verify information and report security developments accurately while respecting legitimate operational security requirements and maintaining public accountability.

The keynote address was delivered by former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), adding to discussions on leadership, intelligence and the changing demands of Nigeria’s national security environment.

As Nigeria intensifies efforts to secure its mineral resources and strengthen their contribution to economic growth, the recognition of ACC John Attah Onoja places renewed emphasis on the role of operational leadership in the fight against illegal mining. It also draws attention to the importance of strengthening the institutions and collaborative strategies responsible for protecting the country’s mineral assets.

Ultimately, the real measure of success in combating illegal mining will lie in sustained enforcement, reduced illegal extraction, improved protection of mining communities and stronger safeguards for Nigeria’s natural resources. The DECAN recognition therefore serves as an important reminder that effective leadership, supported by intelligence, technology and institutional cooperation, remains central to the pursuit of a more secure and economically resilient Nigeria.