The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has disclosed that no fewer than 51 suspected illegal miners and three suspected telecommunication mast vandals in the state have been arrested, News About Nigeria reports.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, made this known in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, on Monday.
He noted that the suspects, who were comprised of males, had been profiled and had no evidence of a registered company they were operating under, as well as no exploration or mining licence, adding that they were apprehended in the Gwagwalada area of the Capital Territory.
He lamented the fact that the acts of illegal mining have encroached on the soil and caused environmental degradation and erosion, adding that it is the reason why most of the areas are no longer useful for agricultural and human activities.
He further noted that items had been recovered from the illegal miners that they use to carry out their operations, including dismantled metal mast parts, five pumping machines, an unquantified amount of substance alleged to be gold dust, pumping hoses, ten litres of fuel, shovels, diggers, and a headpan.
He stated, however, that after thoroughly investigating both cases, the suspects would be charged to court for further disciplinary action that would serve as deterrence to others.
In the case of the vandalism, Odumosu noted that the three suspects were apprehended by the Corps of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit, following a tip-off of the dismantling activity at the Giri Area by the FCT command intelligence and undercover operatives.
