CITIZENS COMPASS— The Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps’ Assistant Commandant of Corps, ACC John Onoja Attah, the fearless head of the NSCDC’s Special Mining Marshals, was handed the coveted “NAOSNP Best Tactical Commander of the Year” award at the 2025 NAOSNP National Security Conference and Awards in Lagos where he was ably represented by CSC Babatunde Oyamakinde. The security honor, presented by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), celebrates his relentless, intelligence‑driven fight against illegal mining and his steadfast protection of Nigeria’s mineral wealth.
Since taking charge of the Mining Marshals under Operation Hayakin Kogo, ACC Attah has turned the unit into a model of inter‑agency synergy. Under his disciplined, data‑centric leadership the corps has:
– arrested over 600 suspects,
– prosecuted more than 240 cases with 11 convictions,
– recovered mineral assets worth millions of naira, and
– reclaimed 98 illegal mining sites, returning them to legitimate operators.
His tactical brilliance, honed at the Defence Intelligence College and West African Regional Training Centre, blends precision, discretion, and incorruptible thoroughness qualities that have made him a trusted “silent sentinel” in the field.
The NAOSNP award isn’t his first. In 2024 he already earned Nigeria’s Most Outstanding Security Officer at SAEMA, the African Security Hero of the Year and several other national honors. Yet the NAOSNP Best Tactical Commander title caps a year of relentless operations in hostile terrains, where he survived armed ambushes and led his men to neutralize dangerous syndicates.
Attah dedicated the victory to NSCDC’s Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, whose visionary leadership and strategic framework empowered the Special Mining Marshals. He also praised the partnership with the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, whose policy support has tightened enforcement across the sector.
In his acceptance speech, ACC Attah reaffirmed his commitment to intensify operations despite the daily risks of armed attacks and life‑threatening confrontations.
The “NAOSNP Best Tactical Commander of the Year” honor spotlights Attah’s blend of discipline, intelligence, and decisive action qualities that continue to reshape Nigeria’s security architecture and safeguard its economic future.
Dignitaries at the NAOSNP National Security Conference and Awards 2025 includes; Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam represented by the Director of Public Affairs, MPA, Mr. Bolaji Kazeem; immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa who was represented by Commandant of Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal, AVM Bashir R Mamman; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade who is also representing IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun; Corps Marshal of FRSC, Mallam Shehu Mohammed represented by the Lagos Sector Commander, CC Kehinde Hamzat; Commandant-General of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi ably represented by Commandant, NSCDC Lagos Command, Mr Keshinro Sunday; CEO/Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan represented by the Chairman of POCACOV Lagos, Dr. Moses Oladimeji; Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede represented by the Head of Public Affairs, lagos EFCC, DCE Ayo Oyewole; Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN represented by the Lagos State Commissioner, ICPC, Mr Chukwurah Alexander; Commander, Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. DCP Akinbayo Olasoji; Commander of Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun), Amb. Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, CEO of Safety Signatures, Dr. Mrs. Cynthia Gregg.
Business, religious, and policy executives were also in attendance. These are the Managing Director/CEO, Smithcrown Construction Ltd, Engr. Chris Agbede; General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Prof. Daniel K. Olukoya, who represented by Prof Sesan Oliyide, CEO of Trans Energy E-Global, Mr. Umar Ahmed Tijani, Prophet Ikuru Godwin, Assistant Director and Head Food Technology Laboratory, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mrs. Arannilewa O. Comfort, Immediate Vice chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Hon. Kafilat T. Pedero-Akanni and CSO of Proforce Nigeria, Mr. Lawal Abiola.
