Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 15 suspects have been arrested
by the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps,
NSCDC, for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in the State.
The suspects were arrested in different locations in the
state, Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla disclosed at a press briefing on
Monday, Nov. 17, in Benin City.
Ayinla alleged that the suspects were arrested for allegedly
conveying solid minerals without legal documents.
He said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025,
by the patrol team who were acting on credible intelligence.
“Today, I am here to brief you on a major operational
breakthrough recorded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,
Edo State Command, in our intensified efforts to safeguard the nation’s
economic resources and protect critical national assets from sabotage”, he
said.
He said during the operations six trucks were intercepted
along the Benin/Sapele Road, all heavily loaded with suspected illegally mined
Kyline Clay.
He said after thorough inspection, the drivers and their
assistants could not produce any valid documents authorizing the transportation
of the minerals.
The state’s NSCDC boss said nine persons were arrested on
the spot.
Ayinla gave the names of the suspects as Tobilola Moses,
Laseisi Adesegun, Olayinka Dimeji, Joshua Ojo, Peter Oliga, Owolabi Gabriel,
Solomon Shedrach, Adela Tannimawo and Ibrahim Habib.
“In a separate operation on the same day, the Monitoring and
Surveillance Team intercepted two additional trucks along Ogbemudia Farm, Auchi
Road.
“Four more suspects were arrested for conveying solid
minerals with documents that were completely irreconcilable and
unacceptable.
“The Vehicles recovered from the suspects are BEN 434 YX and
GGE 450 YL. The drivers are Jimoh Mahmood and Abubakar Aminu, while the motor
boys are Abdulmutallib Ibrahim and Mubarak Abdul as well as Abdulkareem Nasir
while escort is Nafiu Ibrahim.
“These individuals were arrested for conveying lithium
without proper documentation.
“Furthermore, on November, 15, 2025, at about 0500 hours,
one Mr. Hassan Rufai from Lafia was arrested along the CCA Construction Company
axis.
“He was intercepted while conveying suspected stolen items
in a Toyota Yaris (Reg. No. GAR 193 EA).
“The items recovered from the vehicle include Suntrik solar
battery, Max portable generator, 14-inch plasma TV and Multiple charger
inverter”, he stated
He said the suspect is currently undergoing thorough
investigation.
He noted that illegal mining is one of the most devastating
economic crimes confronting the nation.
He added that illegal mining causes massive revenue loss,
environmental degradation, destruction of farmlands, increased insecurity, and
sabotage of government’s economic development efforts.
He vowed that the command would not allow criminal elements
to plunder our God-given resources with impunity, threatening that, under his
watch, anyone involved in illegal mining, unauthorized transportation of
minerals, or aiding such activities will be arrested, investigated, and
prosecuted.
The NSCDC boss disclosed that all the suspects and vehicles
have been moved to the command’s exhibit yard for proper documentation and
further investigation
He said the suspects would be charged to court after the
completion of the investigation.
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