Troops of Operation Delta Safe have intercepted a wooden boat carrying about 5,000 bags of suspected illegally mined ilmenite sand in Bayelsa State, arresting six suspected illegal miners in the process.
The operation was carried out around 4:45 p.m. on September 13, 2026, by troops of the 343 Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion deployed in Tamogbene, Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
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According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the troops acted on operational intelligence before intercepting the boat transporting the mineral.
Six suspects allegedly involved in the illegal mining and transportation of the ilmenite sand were arrested during the operation.
The operation was said to be part of efforts by the military to tackle illegal mining activities and prevent the movement of illegally extracted minerals through waterways in the Niger Delta.
The suspects, the wooden boat and the recovered bags of suspected illegally mined ilmenite sand have been taken into military custody for further investigation.
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