Troops of the Joint Task Force South South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), on Sunday, September 13, intercepted six suspected illegal miners with 5,000 bags of suspected illegally mined ilmenite sand popularly known as black sand in Bayelsa state.
The suspects were apprehended at about 4:45 p.m. when troops of the 343 Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion deployed at Tamogbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area intercepted a locally made wooden boat.
The troops acted on operational information regarding the movement of suspected illegally mined mineral resources through the waterways.
The troops moved to intercept the vessel and, upon stopping it, discovered about 5,000 bags containing suspected illegally mined ilmenite sand.
Six persons suspected to be involved in the illegal mining and transportation of the mineral resources were arrested during the operation.
The suspects were taken into military custody for further investigation, while the recovered boat and the mineral-laden bags were also secured by the troops.
The authorities are expected to investigate the source of the mineral resources, the activities of the suspects and other individuals who may be connected to the mining and transportation operation.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces in the Niger Delta to tackle illegal mining and other activities considered detrimental to the region’s natural resources and security environment.
Security forces have continued to intensify operations along waterways in the South-South region to disrupt illicit economic activities and prevent the movement of illegally extracted mineral resources.
The latest interception also highlights the military’s continued focus on curbing the unauthorised exploitation and transportation of the region’s mineral resources.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
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