FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Edo State Command has arrested 15 illegal gold mining suspects in Egbetua Community, Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of Auchi Area Command at Ode forest in Egbetua on Monday night, following a tip-off.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that acting on credible information, the officers stormed the forest and apprehended the suspects.
Confirming the report, the State Commandant of NCDSC, Gbenga Agun said it was the statutory responsibility of the corps to protect the people and solid minerals across the country.
He warned other illegal miners in the state to desist from such acts, as the command is poised to flush out illegal mining activities and other crimes.
It would be recalled that the illegal gold mining site was recently discovered in Egbetua community with hundreds of illegal miners seen carrying out mining activities when AljazirahNigeria visited the site.
Investigations revealed that illegal gold mining had been going on in Egbetua for over 25 years, leading to growing socio-economic and security challenges in the community.
These activities, the people claimed, had led to loss of ecosystem and increased insecurity and poverty, especially among peasant farmers in the area.
The community in 2024 called on the state government to help halt the activities of illegal miners.
The state government on May 5, 2024 gave illegal miners a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the sites.
Over seven months after the expiration of the marching order, it was learnt that many of the suspects refused to vacate the area.
