Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, have arrested 19 suspected illegal miners operating in a forest in the northern part of the state.
The suspects were arrested on 28 August 2026 during an operation targeting illegal mining activities along the Okpella/Ososo/Egbetua forest axis in Etsako East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas.
The Edo State NSCDC Commander, Saidi Akintayo, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Benin City.
According to Akintayo, the operation followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance on suspected illegal miners operating in the area.
He said officers of the command’s Mining Marshal Unit entered the forest at about 3.35pm on 28 August and located an illegal mining site despite the difficult terrain, poor road network, hills and dense vegetation.
“Officers of the Command’s Mining Marshal Unit stormed the forest on Friday, 28th August 2026, at about 15:35hrs,” Akintayo said.
He added that two other suspects escaped into the forest during the operation.
A preliminary investigation, according to the commander, indicated that the suspects were involved in illegal gold mining and allegedly worked for two individuals identified as a man popularly known as “Area” and Abu Mawain.
Akintayo said 15 of the arrested suspects allegedly worked for “Area”, while the remaining four were reportedly working for Mawain under Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
Items recovered from the site included a pumping machine, five head pans, 13 carpets or rugs, six shovels, 15 mobile phones, a power bank and four identity cards bearing the name Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
The NSCDC commander said the two alleged leaders were still at large, adding that efforts were underway to arrest them.
He said the arrested suspects had made statements admitting their alleged involvement in the illegal mining activities and would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.
Akintayo warned that the command would intensify its efforts to tackle illegal mining and identify those financing or benefiting from the activities.
“The NSCDC will not fold its arms and allow criminal elements to plunder the natural resources of Edo State, which are meant to contribute to the development of the state and the nation,” he said.
He added that he had directed the Mining Marshal Unit to intensify operations and drive illegal miners from mining sites across the state.
The commander said the operation would also focus on identifying financiers, sponsors and other individuals benefiting from illegal mining activities in Edo State.
