Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe State have successfully foiled plans for a same-sex wedding, leading to the arrest of 76 suspects connected to the event, News About Nigeria gathered.
The state’s Public Relations Officer, Buhari Sa’ad, disclosed this development while parading the suspects in front of journalists at the NSCDC’s headquarters in Gombe, on behalf of the state Commandant, Mohammed Muazu.
Out of the 76 individuals apprehended, 59 were males, with 21 of them voluntarily admitting to their homosexuality. Additionally, 17 females were arrested at the same location.
According to Sa’ad, the suspects were taken into custody at Duwa Plaza along the Bauchi-Gombe Expressway, where they had gathered for a homosexual birthday celebration. The authorities learned of their intentions to host a same-sex wedding, prompting the raid by NSCDC personnel.
Sa’ad said, “They will be charged to court to answer for their crime, which is a social vice, a crime in Gombe State.”
In addition to the same-sex wedding interception, the NSCDC in Gombe State also apprehended three individuals involved in illegal mining activities within the Akko Local Government Area of the state.
These suspects were arrested at a mining site in the Gamawa community while reportedly operating without the proper mining clearance, which was allegedly approved by the Federal Government.
State Commandant Muazu affirmed the significance of these arrests, stating that his team had acted on a tip-off from concerned citizens. While the suspects claimed to have ownership of the site and had obtained a license, further investigation revealed that their approval was for Laterite sand, not coal mining as they were engaged in.
Muazu reported that following these findings, the NSCDC has ordered the temporary suspension of activities at the site until the necessary clearances are obtained from the relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and the state Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Sanusi Pindiga, has announced a statewide suspension of all mining activities. He called upon all miners in the state to come forward for screening and clearance by the ministry.
This decision, according to Pindiga, is a response to the discovery of illegal mining operations by the NSCDC and aims to ensure that all miners are properly screened and cleared to operate within the state.
Pindiga emphasised the need for miners to follow the appropriate procedures and obtain clearance before engaging in mining activities to safeguard the welfare of local communities, farmlands, and the environment.
