By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) a specialised security outfit designed to combat illegal and artisanal mining activities nationwide.
Sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (SDP Nasarawa), the bill provides a legal framework for protecting mining operations, enforcing environmental and safety standards, and promoting sustainable practices in the nation’s mineral sector.
According to Onawo, the proposed agency will be responsible for curbing illegal mining, rescuing trapped miners, conducting accident investigations, and providing emergency medical response at mining sites.
“The establishment of the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service will help safeguard mining operations and ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations,” he said.
Several lawmakers hailed the initiative as timely, noting that it would strengthen Nigeria’s response to the growing menace of unregulated mining and its impact on communities and revenue.
The bill, earlier reviewed by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development chaired by Senator Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South), scaled its third reading on Tuesday, marking a major legislative milestone.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the intent of the legislation and urged future officers of the service to act with integrity and patriotism.
“I pray those who will be working there will have patriotism in their minds and work to stop all illegal activities in our mines,” Akpabio said.
The bill’s passage comes amid rising concerns over the economic, environmental, and security threats posed by illegal mining a practice linked to revenue losses, land degradation, and violent conflicts in resource-rich regions across Nigeria.
