Troops arrest 5 illegal miners in Bayelsa, seize 10,400 bags of black sand

Troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Sanity, on Monday, August 24, announced the arrest of five suspected illegal miners in Bayelsa State and the seizure of about 10,400 bags of suspected illegally mined ilmenite sand, popularly known as black sand.

The operation was conducted at about 12:45pm on Saturday, August 22, following intelligence on the movement of suspected illegal miners around Bassambiri Community in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, troops of the 343 Artillery Regiment responded to the intelligence and intercepted a tugboat and barge conveying the suspected mineral resources.

The troops moved to the area after receiving information about the vessels and their suspected involvement in the transportation of illegally mined resources.

During the operation, five suspects were arrested, while the tugboat, barge and their cargo were seized by the troops.

The suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Police Division in Nembe for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The development is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat illegal mining and other illicit activities threatening the environment and economy in the Niger Delta.

Illegal mining activities have continued to raise concerns over environmental degradation, particularly in communities where natural resources are extracted and transported without proper authorisation.

Security agencies have intensified operations aimed at identifying and disrupting networks involved in the illegal exploitation, movement and distribution of mineral resources across the region.

Makama said the latest operation demonstrated the continued efforts of troops to deny criminal elements freedom of action and curb activities capable of undermining legitimate economic activities in the Niger Delta.

The security forces are expected to continue surveillance and intelligence-driven operations across the area to identify other individuals and networks involved in illegal mining and related activities.