CRIME: THREE FOREIGNERS ARRESTED IN NASARAWA ILLEGAL MINING SITE RAID
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An illicit mining facility in the Rafin-Gabas neighborhood of Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, has been closed by the Mining Marshals.
In a statement released Thursday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake affirmed this.
According to Alake, the ministry-established security force known as the mining marshals demolished the site and took three foreigners into custody.
He called the operation a significant step in sanitizing the industry and preventing illicit mining.
He claimed that corrupt security guards were protecting the location, which had long eluded law enforcement.
“However, following a strategic and well-coordinated operation, the Mining Marshals penetrated the stronghold, leading to the arrest of three foreign nationals.
“Several other suspects managed to flee, allegedly with the help of security operatives,” he said.
The minister commended the Marshals, describing the operation as a breakthrough in the fight against illegal mining.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cracking down on illegal mining and ensuring accountability.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, John Onoja, said a manhunt was underway for the escaped suspects.
Onoja added that investigations were ongoing to identify security personnel who facilitated the illegal activities.
According to him, the company behind the illegal operations, along with some fugitives, have pending criminal charges in the Federal High Court, Abuja.
NAN reports that the Federal Government had arrested 327 suspects and prosecuted 143 for illegal mining since the Marshals began operations in 2024.
The Marshals, drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were trained in tactical skills to combat illegal miners, bandits, and other criminal elements.
NAN
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