UNODC and Nigeria's NSCDC partner to combat illegal mining and terror funding

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has called for increased collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals to combat the links between illegal mining, organized crime, and terrorism in Nigeria, West Africa, and the Sahel.

During a strategic visit to the Mining Marshals Corps in Abuja, UNODC officials commended the specialized unit for its role in tackling illicit trade. The delegation highlighted the importance of disrupting the financial and operational connections between criminal networks and terrorist groups.

A key component of this cooperation is the CONNECT Initiative (Coordination through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus), which aims to strengthen law enforcement cooperation globally. Nigeria has been invited to participate in this initiative, which is scheduled for launch in November 2026.