By Usman Aliyu
The Edo Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested six suspected illegal miners in the state.
Mr Saidi Akintayo, State Commandant of the corps, disclosed this on Thursday during a news conference in Benin.
According to him, the suspects were arrested at various mining locations in the state.
Akintayo reiterated the corps’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s critical mineral resources.
“The six suspects were apprehended at an illegal mining site located in Egbetu Ososo, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state, ” he said.
He said that the arrest was carried out by the Mines and Steel Monitoring and Surveillance Team of the command.
Akintayo said that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly operating under the instruction of Mr Casker, who is currently at large.
He said the suspects have confessed to working at the site without any authorisation or legal documentation.
In a related development, the commandant also disclosed that operatives of the command on Dec. 1, intercepted and arrested two additional suspects.
“They were caught conveying suspected illegally mined minerals (Dolomite) in a truck with registration number ABJ 999XF.
“Upon interrogation, it was discovered that the documents presented to justify the transportation of the mineral were forged,” he said.
He explained that investigations were ongoing and that all suspects would be prosecuted in court to deter others involved in the act.
Akintayo warned that the corps would not allow economic saboteurs to destroy the country’s economy.
He asserted that illegal mining was not only robbing the nation of revenue but also fuelled insecurity, environmental degradation, and the destruction of host communities.
He reassured the public that the corps, in line with its statutory mandate, would continue to intensify surveillance, enforcement, and strategic operations to curb illegal mining across the state.
(NAN)
