The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested 15 people and seized eight trucks loaded with suspected illegally mined minerals in different parts of the state.
The state Commandant, Saidi Akintayo, announced the arrests on Monday and described the operations as a major step against what he called economic sabotage. He explained that the suspects were picked up during intelligence-led raids carried out on November 15 and 16.
Akintayo said six trucks allegedly transporting illegally mined Kyline clay were stopped along the Benin–Sapele Road. According to him, the drivers and their assistants could not provide valid documents. “They failed to show any authorisation papers,” he said.
Nine suspects were arrested. They were named as Tobilola Moses, Laseisi Adesegun, Olayinka Dimeji, Joshua Ojo, Peter Oliga, Owolabi Gabriel, Solomon Shedrach, Adela Tannimawo and Ibrahim Habib.
In another operation on the same day, the NSCDC Monitoring and Surveillance Team intercepted two trucks carrying lithium along the Ogbemudia Farm area of the Auchi Road. Akintayo said the papers presented by the drivers were “completely irreconcilable,” which led to more arrests. Those taken in were drivers Jimoh Mahmood and Abubakar Aminu, and their assistants Abdulmutallib Ibrahim, Nafiu Ibrahim, Mubarak Abdul and AbdulKareem Nasir.
On Saturday, the corps also arrested a man named Hassan Rufai near the CCA Construction axis. He was reportedly found with suspected stolen items such as a solar battery, generator, plasma TV and inverter chargers.
Akintayo condemned illegal mining, saying it destroys the environment, increases insecurity and drains government revenue. He added that all suspects and trucks have been moved to the NSCDC exhibit yard for investigation before prosecution.
He urged residents to report strange activities, stressing that the command will continue to protect national assets and clamp down on illegal mining in Edo.
