Nigerian Army Arrests 18 Illegal Miners in Niger State

On Wednesday, the Nigerian Army's 102 Guard Battalion arrested 18 suspected illegal miners at a site in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State. The operation was part of a routine mission that uncovered unauthorized mining activities.

The Army recovered items including motorcycles, pumping machines, crusher engines, communication devices, and cash totaling N2,468,750. Following the arrests, the suspects were handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals headquarters in Sauka, Abuja, adhering to inter-agency protocols.

Assistant Commandant of Corps John Onoja Attah praised the Army's actions as exemplary and indicative of their commitment to protecting Nigeria's mineral resources. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects operated without licenses or permits.

Attah reaffirmed the NSCDC's dedication to enforcing the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act and combating illegal mining activities, which threaten government revenue and the environment.