The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested 19 suspected illegal miners on Friday, August 28, during a raid on an illegal gold mining site in the Okpella/Ososo/Egbetua forest axis of Etsako East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas of Edo state.
The Edo state NSCDC Commander, Saidi Akintayo, who disclosed this on Tuesday, September 1, during a briefing said the operation followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance of suspected illegal mining activities in the area.
Akintayo said NSCDC stormed the forest at about 3:35 p.m. on Friday despite the difficult terrain, poor road network, hills and thick vegetation.
He said the operation led to the arrest of 19 suspected illegal miners, while two others escaped into the forest.
“Despite the difficult terrain, poor road network, hills and thick bushes, our officers successfully located the illegal mining site and arrested 19 suspected illegal miners, while two others escaped into the forest,” he said.
According to the commander, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were engaged in illegal gold mining and were working for two individuals identified as a man popularly known as Area and Abu Mawain.
He said 15 of the suspects worked for Area, while the remaining four were working for Mawain under the name Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
Several items were recovered from the mining site, including one pumping machine, five head pans, 13 carpets or rugs, six shovels, 15 mobile phones, one power bank and four identity cards bearing the name Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
Akintayo said the two operators remained at large, adding that efforts were ongoing to locate and arrest them.
He said the arrested suspects had made statements admitting their involvement in the illegal mining activities and would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.
The NSCDC commander said the operation formed part of the command’s ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining and the criminal exploitation of Edo state’s natural resources.
“Let me state categorically that the NSCDC will not fold its arms and allow criminal elements to plunder the natural resources of Edo state, which are meant to contribute to the development of the state and the nation,” he said.
Akintayo said he had directed the Mining Unit to intensify operations across the state and identify not only those working at illegal mining sites but also the financiers, sponsors and other individuals benefiting from the activities.
“We will leave no stone unturned in identifying not only those working at illegal mining sites but also the financiers, sponsors, and individuals benefiting from these activities,” he said.
The commander commended governor Monday Okpebholo for providing logistics and other support to the command, saying the assistance had created an enabling environment for its officers to discharge their duties.
He also commended the officers who participated in the operation for their courage and commitment and urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the corps in tackling illegal mining.
“The NSCDC Edo State Command remains resolute. Illegal mining has no place in Edo state, and anyone found violating the law will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” Akintayo added.
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