Operatives of the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have arrested 19 suspected illegal miners in the state.
The Commander of the Corps, Saidi Akintayo, who disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Benin, said the suspects were apprehended on August 28 while carrying out their illicit activities in a forest in Edo North.
The commander said, “I wish to brief you on the recent operational breakthrough recorded by the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in its ongoing fight against illegal mining and the criminal exploitation of our natural resources.
“Following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance on the activities of suspected illegal miners operating within the Okpella/Ososo/Egbetua forest axis of Etsako East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas, officers of the Command’s Mining Marshal Unit stormed the forest on Friday, 28th August 2026, at about 15:35hrs.
“Despite the difficult terrain, poor road network, hills, and thick bushes, our officers successfully located the illegal mining site and arrested 19 suspected illegal miners, while two others escaped into the forest.
