The Nigerian Senate has approved a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service, a specialized agency designed to combat illegal mining and enhance security in mining communities across the country.
The approval followed the adoption of a report presented by the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, chaired by Senator Ekong Samson, during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Presenting the committee’s findings, Senator Samson said the proposed agency would provide “a structured framework to monitor mining activities, enforce environmental and safety laws, and ensure sustainable mining practices.”
Sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, the bill aims to safeguard mining sites, regulate operations, and protect host communities affected by illegal mining.
Lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill described the creation of the Mines Rangers Service as a timely intervention to address the rising cases of illegal mining and insecurity in mineral-rich areas.
Presiding over the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the initiative, noting that the new agency would strengthen existing mining laws and bring order to the sector.
“This bill, when signed into law, will help protect our natural resources, create jobs, and improve government revenue,” Akpabio said.
The proposed legislation now awaits further legislative processes before transmission to the President for assent.
