When the Senate passed the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (Establishment) Bill on 21 October, it marked one of the boldest attempts yet to confront the country’s sprawling illegal mining economy.
Lawmakers said the establishment of the new service, if eventually approved by President Bola Tinubu, will become a specialised security outfit stationed directly at mining sites to enforce compliance and protect one of Nigeria’s most neglected but promising sectors.
The bill, presented by the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Ekong Sampson, seeks to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) as an enforcement body with a nationwide footprint.
Under the legislation, the Rangers will operate from a headquarters in Abuja with offices in all states, local governments and area councils.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the intervention was crucial to enhancing regulation under the existing Mining Act. “This is a timely intervention that will strengthen our regulatory framework and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are properly managed,” he said.
Other lawmakers echoed the urgency of the Rangers. Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) argued that the Rangers would finally put trained personnel on the ground.
“If established, the Rangers
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