The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, ACC John Attah Onoja, with its Outstanding Operational Commander’s Award.
The award was presented at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards held on October 12 at the Nigerian Army Command Officers’ Mess 1, WU Bassey Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.
The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” examined the growing importance of intelligence, technology and inter-agency cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Reacting to the recognition, Mr Onoja attributed the award to the operational and leadership philosophy of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Air Commodore Stephen Ogunmodele, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said military firepower alone could not guarantee national security.
He stressed the importance of intelligence in identifying threats, guiding decisions and enabling precise security operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi O. Oluyede, also highlighted the roles of artificial intelligence, geospatial intelligence, space-based surveillance and intelligence fusion in strengthening operational effectiveness.
Participants at the conference emphasised the need for security agencies to complement conventional enforcement with intelligence-led operations, advanced surveillance and effective information-sharing.
These priorities are particularly relevant to the Mining Marshals’ efforts to combat illegal mining, protect mineral resources and disrupt illicit activities across the country.
However, tackling illegal mining requires more than raids and arrests, as effective enforcement also depends on credible intelligence, inter-agency coordination and sustained action against illegal operators.
The conference also examined the risks posed by AI-generated misinformation and the need for responsible defence reporting that protects operational security without undermining public accountability.
The keynote address was delivered by a former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.).
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen national security and maximise the economic benefits of its mineral resources, the effectiveness of intelligence-led strategies will ultimately depend on their impact on the ground, including a reduction in illegal mineral extraction and improved protection of mining communities and national assets.