The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill aimed at establishing the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS), a specialised security outfit to combat illegal and artisanal mining across the country. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (SDP-Nasarawa), seeks to address illegal mining, improve safety regulations, and promote sustainable mining practices.
Presenting the bill at Thursday’s plenary, Onawo outlined the NMRS’s core responsibilities, which include safeguarding mining operations, enforcing environmental and safety regulations, rescuing trapped miners, providing emergency medical care, investigating mining accidents, and ensuring compliance with mining regulations. He emphasized that the bill is a critical step toward curbing illegal mining and harnessing Nigeria’s vast mineral resources for economic growth.
“The bill has been painstakingly developed and streamlined to curb illegal mining, thereby providing avenues for harnessing the vast mineral resources in Nigeria,” Onawo said. He added that the proposed service would play a vital role in Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil as the primary source of revenue.
During the debate, lawmakers expressed strong support for the NMRS, describing it as essential for protecting the country’s mining sites. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) noted that the service would help stop the yearly loss of $18.9 billion due to illegal mining. “The Mines Rangers Service, as envisioned, will not only curb illegal mining but also combat banditry,” Kalu added.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over the plenary, described the bill as timely, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced protection, regulation, and enforcement in the mining sector. He recounted how notorious bandits had used illegal mining as a front for their criminal activities, stressing that the new service could help identify and apprehend such criminals.
“This proposed law for a special security outfit in the mining sector is very apt because it will also help to identify criminals,” Barau said.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals for further legislative review, with a mandate to report back to the Senate within two weeks. If passed, the NMRS will represent a significant step forward in safeguarding Nigeria’s mineral resources and addressing the threats posed by illegal mining and related criminal activities.
