By DECAN
The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have defended the continued closure of Stone Rockers Nigeria Ltd. quarry in Abuja, saying the facility remains a crime scene in an ongoing criminal trial.
The Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Attah Onoja, said the quarry was sealed as part of a criminal investigation and not as an administrative sanction.
Onoja said Stone Rockers and its director, Mr Kolawole Olaiya, were standing trial before the Federal High Court in Charge No. FHC/ABM/VR/338/2026.
He said the case followed investigations into alleged illegal mining activities within a mineral title area belonging to Lord’s Career Ventures Nigeria Ltd.
According to him, the investigation followed petitions by the complainant, which were referred to the Mining Marshals by the Ministers of Solid Minerals Development and Interior.
Onoja said investigators arrested the defendants at coordinates identified as longitude 7°17’24″E and latitude 8°52’11″N.
He said the coordinates were found to fall within Mining Lease No. 000395 ML belonging to Lord’s Career Ventures, based on the agency’s investigation.
The Commander said a Jan. 23, 2026 letter from the Mining Cadastre Office also confirmed that the disputed coordinates were within the complainant’s licensed mining area.
He said the investigation produced documentary evidence and correspondence which would form part of the prosecution’s case before the court.
Onoja said the continued closure of the quarry was necessary to preserve the integrity of the crime scene and evidence pending determination of the case.
His position followed a petition by Stone Rockers to President Bola Tinubu and other government officials over the 13-month closure of its operations.
The company had alleged that its shutdown was unlawful and unsupported by any court order, a claim the Mining Marshals rejected.
Onoja said the issues raised by the company were already before the courts and should be allowed to follow due judicial process.
He cautioned against attempts to secure administrative intervention in matters currently undergoing judicial determination.
The Commander also dismissed allegations that enforcement action against the company was influenced by financial inducement, insisting that the operation was based on evidence gathered during investigation.
He said the Mining Marshals would not be deterred by pressure, blackmail or harassment from persons affected by enforcement actions.
Onoja urged media organisations to strengthen editorial verification before publishing claims concerning sensitive mining disputes and ongoing court cases.
He said the media had an important role in supporting Federal Government efforts to reform the solid minerals sector and promote lawful mining.
On workers initially arrested during the operation, Onoja said prosecutors had amended the charge to exclude them after determining that they acted as employees of a disclosed principal.
He, however, said the decision was being reviewed following subsequent developments, including the workers’ alleged participation in protests over the quarry’s closure.
The Commander said prosecutors had been directed to consider relisting the workers if further evidence established their involvement in the alleged offences.
Onoja reaffirmed the Mining Marshals’ commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s mining laws and protecting legitimate mineral title holders.
He said the agency would continue to act within the law while allowing the courts to determine the competing claims surrounding the Stone Rockers quarry.
