The Nasarawa Police Command has arrested suspected 109 illegal Miners in Alogani mountains of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Nadada stated this while parading the suspects at the Police Area command in Lafia the state capital.
CP Nadada said; “the Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit in collaboration with the Vigilante group of Nasarawa Eggon LGA embarked on a massive raid of kidnappers’ den located at Alogani mountains.
“The operation commenced from Mada station to Wakama, a mountain stretch that kidnappers use as a hideout to keep their victims until a ransom is paid.”
He said; “During the search, it was discovered that the kidnappers had deserted all the camps before the arrival of the operatives but 109 suspects were arrested at different locations on the mountain carrying out illegal mining of solid minerals such as Topaz, Tin, and Aquamarine.
“A dane gun, cutlasses, knives illegally mined solid minerals, etc were recovered from the suspects as exhibit,” the CP noted.
Investigation Ongoing
He added that the suspects have been profiled and investigation is ongoing.
Speaking, the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta commended the Police Command under the leadership of CP Nadada for their diligent operation that led to the arrest of the illegal artisanal miners in their hundreds.
He said that due to the state government’s commitment to promote investment and grow businesses for economic development, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources had mandated the illegal miners to register and profile all mining entities arriving and doing business in the State for the purposes of documentation.
Kwanta further sought to bail the artisanal miners operating in the State illegally.
He said; “I strongly put to them as an order and a last chance to repent from their illegal operation and form cooperative groups and get registered with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment as a first step followed by a further registration and profiling.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Comments are closed.