Troops of the 176 Guards Battalion have arrested 10 suspected illegal miners during an operation at an illegal mining site in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The raid was reportedly carried out on May 20 as part of ongoing security operations targeted at tackling illegal mining and other related criminal activities within the FCT and nearby communities.
Security sources disclosed that the operation followed intelligence reports about the activities of suspected illegal miners operating in the area. Acting on the information, troops stormed the site and apprehended the suspects during the exercise.
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Items recovered from the scene included one motorcycle, 15 mining mats, four head pans and several other tools allegedly used for illegal mining activities.
The suspects are currently undergoing profiling and preliminary investigation as authorities continue efforts to curb unlawful mining operations.
Security agencies noted that illegal mining has remained a major concern due to its link to environmental damage, economic sabotage and insecurity in some parts of the country.
Officials also stated that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across identified illegal mining locations within the FCT and neighbouring states.
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