Ministry Director Alleges Assault by Mining Marshals in Niger State

Hajiya Halima Omolara Ibrahim, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has leveled serious accusations against the Mining Marshal operatives, claiming she was assaulted and detained while conducting official duties. The testimony was delivered before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which is currently investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Details of the Alleged Confrontation

According to Ibrahim’s testimony, the incident took place on April 17, 2026, at a mining site in Kwakuti, located in the Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State. Ibrahim stated that she was at the site to perform her official duties, which include registering artisanal miners and ensuring regulatory compliance. She claims that operatives, allegedly led by SC Jibrin Mohammed, raided the location and arrested her alongside other miners.

Ibrahim reported that despite presenting her official identification and explaining her role, the operatives ignored her credentials. She alleged that the encounter escalated into physical violence, stating,

I was beaten, molested, humiliated, strangulated and beaten to a state of pulp and dragged on the ground before they bundled me into their waiting van.

She further testified that she sustained facial bruises and had her clothing torn during the altercation. Following the arrest, she was reportedly held at the Mining Marshal’s headquarters in Minna from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Concerns Over Enforcement Procedures

Beyond the personal allegations, Ibrahim raised systemic concerns regarding how enforcement operations are conducted in the region. She noted that her office had successfully registered approximately 400 artisanal miners to operate alongside licensed entities. However, she accused the Mining Marshal of bypassing the ministry’s enforcement unit, despite established protocols for inter-agency cooperation.

Furthermore, Ibrahim alleged that the Mining Marshal operatives engaged in extortion, claiming they demanded between N6 million and N7 million from miners and confiscated mined gold. The witness submitted documentary evidence to the commission to support these claims, which has been admitted as exhibits.

Context of the Judicial Inquiry

The primary focus of the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry remains the deaths of 37 suspected miners between September 16 and 17, 2026. Ibrahim clarified that her office was not informed of the specific operation that resulted in those fatalities. She also suggested that these deaths were not isolated incidents, alleging that other miners had previously died during security operations in locations such as Korokpa and Garafini in Borgu Local Government Area, as well as Kwakuti. She posited that the recent deaths drew significant public scrutiny primarily because they occurred while the individuals were in official custody.

Conclusion

The allegations presented by Hajiya Halima Omolara Ibrahim highlight ongoing tensions between regulatory officials and security enforcement units within the mining sector. As the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry continues its work, it is tasked with evaluating these claims of misconduct alongside the broader investigation into the deaths of the 37 miners. Information regarding the response of the Mining Marshal or the NSCDC to these specific allegations was not available at the time of reporting.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: Government · Human Rights · Mining · news · Niger State · Nigeria · ViralBrief