By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
Governor Francis Nwifuru, of Ebonyi State has called for the immediate deployment of at least 400 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat rampant illegal mining and address critical security shortfalls across the state.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to the Government House in Abakaliki over the weekend, Governor Nwifuru described the security manpower currently available in Ebonyi as "grossly inadequate" and disproportionately lower than what is obtainable in other states.
“Ebonyi State Command doesn’t have manpower up to what a single local government has elsewhere. What is our sin?” the governor asked pointedly, expressing concern over the state’s vulnerability.
Governor Nwifuru decried the proliferation of illegal mining operations, warning that valuable resources such as gold are being extracted under the guise of lead and zinc mining, with minimal regulatory oversight.
He noted that in the absence of adequate NSCDC presence, military personnel have been forced to undertake duties outside their primary mandate.
“The army is doing NSCDC’s job because you don’t have the men.
"Some people are mining lead and zinc, but they’re actually extracting gold. The country is losing a lot," he said.
The governor also submitted a list of 194 potential recruits from Ebonyi State, requesting federal consideration for their absorption into the Corps.
He emphasized that this would not only improve security but also reduce youth unemployment and enhance accountability in the extractive sector.
He noted that under current federal law, mining licenses and regulatory approvals are exclusively controlled by the federal government.
Governor Nwifuru highlighted this limitation, arguing that states are unable to enforce mining regulations without federal support.
“We don’t license miners. We don’t sign consent agreements. The federal government holds that power. So when you don’t give us manpower, what do we do?” he queried.
He further pledged logistical support, including the provision of operational vehicles, but insisted that personnel deployment must be prioritized.
“If you give us 400 officers, the 10 Hilux vehicles will come immediately as you requested,” Nwifuru assured.
Earlier, Commandant General Prof. Audi acknowledged the pressing security challenges in the state, reiterating the NSCDC’s mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, regulate private security, and ensure the safety of mining zones.
He revealed that the Corps has already shut down over 600 illegal mining sites nationwide, arrested more than 500 suspects including foreign nationals and is prosecuting many of them.
However, he noted the high risks faced by NSCDC operatives, citing the recent killing of eight officers in Edo State during a rescue operation involving foreign nationals.
“We are operating in an asymmetric security environment including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
"We can only overcome these threats through coordination, cooperation, and collaboration,” Prof. Audi emphasized.
The Commandant General's visit to Ebonyi is part of a national operational tour aimed at assessing state-level challenges and infrastructure gaps facing the Corps.
During the visit, Governor Nwifuru also inaugurated a newly constructed chapel at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters.
Named Saint Francis Chapel, the project was initiated and completed by the State Commandant, Mr. Francis Nnadi, who said it was built to encourage ethical conduct, spiritual discipline, and support for the governor’s developmental vision.
Commandant Nnadi reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Ebonyi State Government to tackle emerging and persistent security challenges, particularly in vulnerable communities.
