The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ FCT Command apprehended 51 suspected illegal miners and three suspected telecommunication mast vandals in the area.
Samuel Idoko, the command spokesperson, revealed this in a statement signed on Monday.
According to the announcement, Olusola Odumosu, NSCDC FCT Commandant, said that “51 suspects were arrested in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT for engaging in illegal mining activities.”
Odumosu added that the suspects, all males, had been profiled and had no proof of a registered firm or exploration and mining permit.
He said:
“All acts of illegal mining encroach on the soil and cause environmental degradation and erosion and that is why most of these areas are no longer useful for agricultural and human activities,” Odumosu added.
“Unquantified amount of substance alleged to be gold dust, pumping hoses, ten litres of fuel, shovels, diggers and head-pan.
“An approval of such an act must be obtained from the NSCDC being the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the country.”
“Neither do they have any proper means of identification showing who they are and the company they are working for.
“Upon further questioning, they revealed that a certain businessman had already been paid the sum of N4 million ahead for the dismantling which raised suspicion of a premeditated act of vandalism.
“Ongoing investigation is being carried out to determine his level of culpability and ownership claim after which necessary action will be taken.”
cc: Punch Ng
