Stakeholders Seeks Stronger Coordination to Tackle Illegal Mining in Host Communities

Halogen Security and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have called for stronger public-private collaboration to address security challenges threatening Nigeria’s mining sector.

The call was made at the 8th edition of the Lagos PR Clinic, organised by Halogen Security in collaboration with the NSCDC.

The engagement, themed “Collaborative Security as a Paradigm for Mining Security,” brought together stakeholders from government, security agencies, the private sector, academia and the mining industry to examine ways of improving security across the sector.

Participants identified illegal mining, criminal activities and vandalism among the challenges requiring closer coordination between public institutions, private security providers, businesses and host communities.

Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, fnarc, said mining security extended beyond the protection of individual mining sites to include host communities, economic assets, environmental interests and government revenue.

Keshinro called for stronger coordination among security agencies, government institutions, private-sector operators and communities to address illegal mining and other security challenges along mining corridors.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Operations & Services, Halogen, Bosun Sosanya, said the increasing complexity of security threats made closer cooperation between public security agencies and private security providers necessary.

He said, “At Halogen, we do not see our role as separate from that of the state. We see private security providers as force multipliers that can work alongside public security institutions to strengthen capacity and drive greater impact through deeper collaboration, including joint training, intelligence sharing and capacity building, to deliver stronger security outcomes.”

The lead presentation was delivered by ACC Onoja John Attah, Commander, NSCDC Mining Marshals, who discussed the Corps’ efforts to combat illegal mining and strengthen enforcement across the country.

Attah highlighted coordinated interventions, intelligence sharing and intelligence-led operations as important measures for improving security outcomes in the mining sector.

Other participants included Femi Kayode, Chairman, ASIS; Charles Keku, Managing Director, Pahek Security Services; Franklin Okpara, Chief Security Officer, Unilever; Engr. Silas S. G., Officer in Charge, Federal Mines and Steel Development, Lagos; and Professor Adedeji Oyenuga, Professor of Criminology, Department of Sociology, Lagos State University.

The panel discussion focused on practical approaches to intelligence sharing, community engagement, safety and accountability, technology adoption and capacity building, with participants stressing the need for stronger public-private partnerships.

The stakeholders also examined the role of coordinated security interventions in protecting mining operations, host communities and Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The engagement further highlighted the need for stronger institutional capacity and information-sharing mechanisms to enable security agencies, businesses and communities to respond more effectively to threats within mining corridors.