Hajiya Halima Omolara Ibrahim, an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has accused Mining Marshal operatives of assaulting and detaining her at a mining site in Kwakuti, Niger State. The incident allegedly occurred on April 17, 2026, when operatives raided the site and arrested her alongside artisanal miners. Ibrahim claims she identified herself as a ministry official, but the operatives ignored her and refused to listen to her explanations.
Ibrahim made the allegations while testifying before the Justice Mohammed Mohammed Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). She described the assault, stating that she was beaten, strangled, dragged on the ground, and humiliated before being taken to the Mining Marshal's headquarters in Minna, where she was detained from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
According to Ibrahim, her responsibilities include registering artisanal miners, supervising their activities, and ensuring compliance with mining regulations. Her office had registered about 400 artisanal miners to operate alongside licensed miners in the state. She accused the Mining Marshal of conducting enforcement operations without involving her office, despite an existing working relationship between the ministry's enforcement unit and security operatives.
Ibrahim also alleged that Mining Marshal operatives extorted between N6 million and N7 million from miners and took their mined gold. She submitted documentary evidence to the commission, which was admitted as exhibits. The commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected miners and other allegations arising from mining enforcement operations in the state.
The deaths of the 37 miners occurred between September 16 and 17, 2026, and attracted attention because they occurred in the NSCDC's custody. Ibrahim alleged that other miners had died during security operations in Niger State without attracting similar public attention, naming Korokpa and Garafini in Borgu Local Government Area and Kwakuti in Paikoro Local Government Area as locations where such deaths allegedly occurred.
Ibrahim sustained facial bruises and her clothes were torn during the alleged assault. She claims that the incident was led by SC Jibrin Mohammed, who allegedly ignored her official identification card and refused to listen to her explanations. The commission's investigation aims to uncover the truth behind the allegations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by ministry officials in enforcing mining regulations and the need for improved collaboration between security operatives and ministry officials. The commission's findings are expected to shed more light on the allegations and lead to reforms in the mining sector.
Key points
- Ministry director Hajiya Halima Omolara Ibrahim alleges she was assaulted and detained by Mining Marshal operatives while performing her duties.
- The incident occurred on April 17, 2026, at a mining site in Kwakuti, Niger State, and resulted in Ibrahim sustaining facial bruises and torn clothes.
- The commission is investigating the deaths of 37 suspected miners and allegations of extortion and gold theft by Mining Marshal operatives.
