By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps John Attah Onoja, with its Outstanding Operational Commander’s Award for his leadership and contributions to efforts to combat illegal mining in Nigeria.
The award was presented on October 12 at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards held at the Nigerian Army Command Officers’ Mess 1, WU Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.
The recognition comes amid growing efforts to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources from illegal exploitation and strengthen security operations in the mining sector.
Onoja attributed the award to the operational vision and leadership philosophy of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, mni, OFR, acknowledging the institutional support guiding the activities of the Mining Marshals.
The DECAN conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” examined the importance of intelligence gathering, emerging technologies and inter-agency cooperation in addressing the country’s security challenges.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Air Commodore Stephen Ogunmodele, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said military firepower alone could not guarantee national security, emphasising the need for credible intelligence to identify threats and support precise operations.
Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi O. Oluyede, highlighted the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, space-based surveillance and intelligence fusion in improving operational effectiveness.
These approaches are particularly relevant to the Mining Marshals’ mandate to combat illegal mining, protect mineral deposits and disrupt criminal activities associated with the unlawful exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
Beyond enforcement operations, tackling illegal mining requires effective intelligence gathering, coordination among security agencies, sustained monitoring of mining sites and measures to prevent illegal activities from resuming after raids.
The conference also addressed the security implications of AI-generated misinformation and the need for responsible defence reporting that safeguards sensitive operational information while promoting transparency and accountability.
The keynote address was delivered by former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.).
The award to Onoja highlights the role of operational leadership in ongoing efforts to strengthen security in the mining sector, as Nigeria seeks to curb illegal mineral extraction and improve the economic benefits derived from its natural resources.
Effective implementation of intelligence-led strategies will remain essential to protecting mining communities, securing mineral assets and ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth contributes to sustainable national development.
