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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, has apprehended 51 suspected illegal miners and three suspected telecommunication mast vandals in the territory.
The command spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Monday.
Idoko stated that the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, gave the disclosure that the defence arrested 51 suspects in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT for engaging in illegal mining activities.
Odumosu explained that the suspects, all males, had been profiled and were found to have no evidence of operating under a registered company, nor did they possess exploration and mining licenses.
"Acts of illegal mining encroach on the soil and cause environmental degradation and erosion, rendering areas unsuitable for agricultural and human activities," Odumosu added.
Exhibits recovered from the 54 suspects included dismantled metal mast parts, five pumping machines, an unquantified amount of substance alleged to be gold dust, pumping hoses, ten litres of fuel, shovels, diggers, and head-pans.
Odumosu added that the the Corps of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit apprehended about three suspects following a tip-off of dismantling activity at the Giri Area by FCT command intelligence and undercover operatives.
He reiterated that any decommissioning of a mast must obtain approval from the NSCDC, being the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.
"The suspects, during interrogation by the Command’s Anti-vandal Unit, were unable to show approval from the Corps or proper means of identification showing who they are and the company they are working for," Odumosu stated.
He further mentioned that ongoing investigations would determine the level of culpability and ownership claim of the businessman allegedly paid N4 million ahead for the dismantling, suggesting a premeditated act of vandalism.
