The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 19 suspected illegal miners during a raid on an illegal gold mining site in Edo North, while two alleged operators linked to the operation are being sought.
The suspects were apprehended on Friday, August 28, 2026, at an illegal mining site within the Okpella/Ososo/Egbetua forest axis, covering parts of Etsako East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas of Edo State.
The Edo State NSCDC Commandant, Saidi Akintayo, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press conference in Benin, saying the operation followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance of illegal mining activities in the area.
According to Akintayo, personnel of the command’s Mining Marshal Unit entered the forest at about 3:35 p.m. despite the challenging terrain, poor road network, hills and dense vegetation.
He said the operation led to the arrest of 19 suspects, while two others reportedly escaped into the forest.
“Despite the difficult terrain, poor road network, hills and thick bushes, our officers successfully located the illegal mining site and arrested 19 suspected illegal miners, while two others escaped into the forest,” he said.
The commandant said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in illegal gold mining and were working for two individuals identified as a man popularly known as “Area” and Mr Abu Mawain.
He disclosed that 15 of the suspects allegedly worked for “Area”, while the remaining four were said to have been working for Mawain under a company identified as Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
Items recovered from the mining site included one pumping machine, five head pans, 13 carpets or rugs, six shovels, 15 mobile phones, one power bank and four identity cards bearing the name of Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
Akintayo said the two alleged operators remained at large, adding that the command had intensified efforts to locate and arrest them.
He further disclosed that the arrested suspects had made statements admitting their alleged involvement in the illegal mining activities and would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.
The NSCDC commander said the operation was part of the command’s sustained efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Edo State’s natural resources from exploitation.
He warned that the corps would not allow individuals or criminal groups to plunder the state’s mineral resources, stressing that such resources were meant to contribute to the development of Edo State and Nigeria.
Akintayo directed the Mining Marshal Unit to intensify operations across the state, with particular attention to identifying financiers, sponsors and other individuals allegedly benefiting from illegal mining activities.
“We will leave no stone unturned in identifying not only those working at illegal mining sites but also the financiers, sponsors, and individuals benefiting from these activities,” he said.
The commandant commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for providing logistics and other support to the command, saying the assistance had enhanced the ability of NSCDC personnel to carry out their duties effectively.
He also praised the officers involved in the operation for their courage and commitment and appealed to residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in tackling illegal mining.
“Illegal mining has no place in Edo State, and anyone found violating the law will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” Akintayo said.
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