Mining marshals have arrested five individuals over alleged illegal mining activities in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suspects were said to have posed as operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by John Onoja Attah, commander of the mining marshals.
Attah disclosed that the suspects — Muhammed Aliyu, 39; Abdulrahman Hashimu, 32; Tahir Muhammed, 43; Awaje Abduljalal, 19; and Kabiru Adamu, 38 — were apprehended on Saturday at Kebi Mangoro in Kuje.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in operating multiple illegal mining sites across Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa state,” the statement said.
“Investigators further alleged that the group deployed a privately owned Toyota Hilux vehicle branded with the colours and insignia of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to evade security checkpoints and intimidate stakeholders.”
The statement further noted, “One of them, who identified himself as a manager, reportedly told investigators that their operations were directed by one Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Salihu, popularly known as Mundasa of Mundasa Global Limited, who is currently at large.
“The suspect claimed that only Mr Salihu could explain why the group lacked the requisite licences and statutory documentation required to operate in the solid minerals sector.”
According to the statement, the suspects were later released on bail following an application by their counsel, Douglas Najime of Chatham Partners.
It added that while investigations are still ongoing, the principal suspect and other accomplices who remain at large allegedly approached the nominal complainant — the lawful mineral titleholder on whose concession the arrests were made — in an effort to compromise and frustrate the investigation.
Attah expressed concern over what he described as rising security risks linked to illegal mining, particularly the impersonation of security agencies, warning that the use of an NSCDC-branded Hilux vehicle by the suspects constituted a serious threat to public confidence and national security.
