Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has appealed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to deploy at least 400 additional personnel to the state to curb rampant illegal mining and address critical security shortfalls.

The governor made the appeal on Friday when the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Abakaliki. Nwifuru described the current security manpower in Ebonyi as “grossly inadequate” and far below what is obtainable in other states.

He expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal mining operations, lamenting that valuable resources such as gold are being extracted under the guise of lead and zinc mining, with little or no regulatory oversight.

“In the absence of adequate NSCDC presence, military personnel have been forced to perform duties outside their primary mandate. The army is doing NSCDC’s job because you don’t have enough men,” the governor said.

Nwifuru also submitted a list of 194 potential recruits from Ebonyi State for federal consideration, noting that their absorption into the Corps would enhance security, reduce youth unemployment, and strengthen accountability in the extractive sector.

He stressed that under existing federal laws, mining licenses and regulatory approvals are exclusively controlled by the federal government, which limits state enforcement capacity.

“We don’t license miners or sign consent agreements; the federal government holds that power. So when you don’t give us manpower, what do we do?” he queried.

The governor pledged to provide logistical support, including operational vehicles, once more personnel are deployed.

“If you give us 400 officers, the 10 Hilux vehicles will come immediately, as you requested,” Nwifuru assured.

In his response, Prof. Audi acknowledged the security challenges in Ebonyi and reaffirmed the Corps’ mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, regulate private security, and secure mining zones.

He disclosed that the Corps has shut down over 600 illegal mining sites nationwide, arrested more than 500 suspects, including foreign nationals, and is prosecuting many of them.

The Commandant-General, however, noted the dangers faced by NSCDC operatives, citing the recent killing of eight officers in Edo State during a rescue operation involving foreign nationals.

Audi’s visit to Ebonyi was part of a nationwide operational tour to assess state-level challenges and infrastructure gaps within the Corps.

During the visit, Governor Nwifuru also inaugurated Saint Francis Chapel, a newly constructed worship centre at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters.

The chapel, initiated and completed by the State Commandant, Mr. Francis Nnadi, aims to promote ethical conduct, spiritual discipline, and support for the governor’s developmental agenda.

Commandant Nnadi reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to partnering with the Ebonyi State Government to tackle emerging and persistent security challenges, particularly in vulnerable communities. (The Guardian)