From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The 32 artillery brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, the Ondo State capital has arrested 26 suspected illegal miners allegedly operating in the state.
The suspects were arrested in different communities in the state.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Captain Njoka Irabor who confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday said the suspects had been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Captain Irabor said the efforts of the Nigerian Army will stem down the level of insecurity and truncate the activities of illegal miners in Ondo State.
He said the activities of the illegal miners have attendant negative implications on the state and national economy.
According to Irabor “the arrest was made on 3rd September, 2024, during a raid, following credible intelligence on their activities at suspected illegal mining sites at Gate, Modebiayo, Kokuma, Obado, Okesa, Amasiko, Adoba, Abanasiru and Obadonu communities in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.”
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in the state, Mr Rasak Obe while parading the suspects commended the troops for their swift and clinical response against illegal miners in the state.
He further solicited for the cooperation of all stakeholders; stressing that the menace of illegal mining needs to be permanently addressed, as it poses the tendencies to exacerbate insecurity in the state and the country at large.
“The clampdown on illegal miners, is a clear indication that troops of 32 Artillery Brigade are totally committed to protecting Nigeria’s critical infrastructures and getting the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) rid of all forms of criminal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.
