The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 15 individuals suspected of participating in unauthorized mining operations within the Egbetua Community in Ososo, located in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
This announcement was made on Thursday by the State Commandant of NSCDC, Gbenga Agun, during a press briefing in Benin City, the state capital.
According to Agun, the suspects were taken into custody at a gold mining site in the Ode Forest, with the operation carried out by personnel from the Auchi Area Command of the NSCDC on January 27.
He emphasized that safeguarding lives, public property, and the nation’s mineral resources falls within the statutory mandate of the corps. In a stern warning to other illegal miners, Agun urged them to cease their activities immediately.
Furthermore, he reiterated the commitment of the NSCDC to eliminate criminal elements involved in resource exploitation throughout the state, stating, “The command is poised to flush out criminal elements in the state.”
