A major milestone was reached in Nigeria’s legislative landscape as the Senate passed a bill to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service (NMRS) — a specialized security agency created to combat illegal mining and enforce regulatory standards within the nation’s mining sector.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo (SDP–Nasarawa), seeks to introduce a legal framework that ensures the protection of legitimate mining operations, adherence to environmental standards, and promotion of sustainable practices in the extractive industry.
Under the proposed framework, the NMRS will be empowered to:
- Curb illegal and artisanal mining activities across Nigeria
- Rescue trapped miners and provide emergency response during accidents
- Investigate mining-related incidents
- Enforce safety and environmental compliance in mining areas
During deliberations, lawmakers praised the initiative as a timely intervention to address the security and environmental challenges associated with unregulated mining.
The report was earlier reviewed and approved by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, led by Senator Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South). The bill’s successful third reading marks an essential step toward its final enactment.
In his closing remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the legislative effort, emphasizing the need for patriotic service among future NMRS officers.
“I pray those who will be working there will have patriotism in their mind and work to stop all illegal activities in our mines,” Akpabio stated.
The passage of the bill comes amid increasing concern over illegal mining activities that have led to environmental degradation, revenue loss, and rising insecurity in mineral-rich regions.
If implemented effectively, the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service is expected to redefine resource management in the country, ensuring that Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth is harnessed responsibly for national development.
