Police arrest 109 illegal miners in Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 109 persons over alleged illegal mining in Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area (LGA).
Umar Nadada, Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state made the disclosure while parading the suspects on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital.
The CP explained that the suspects were arrested following a raid by the anti-kidnapping unit of the Command in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Nassarawa-Eggon.
He added that the operation commenced from Mada Station to Wakama Community and Alogani Mountain stretch which kidnappers use as a hideout to keep their victims until ransom is paid.
He said, “on Monday, February 19, 2024 at about 6:00am, the team from the command had engaged in massive raid of some criminal hideouts at Alogani hills in Nassarawa-Eggon LGA.
“They raided from Mada Station, to Wakama area with a view to arresting suspected kidnappers.
“Unfortunately, some of them ran away but we were able to arrest 109 miners conducting illegal activities and we took them into custody and we have commenced investigation to ascertain criminal elements among them,” he added.
He said that the police was ready to partner with the state government with a view to ensuring that these illegal miners are profiled and made to follow due process.
Nadada further narrated that the suspects were arrested at different locations on the mountain carrying out illegal mining of topaz, tin and aquamarine.
He said that a dane gun, cutlasses, knives illegally mined solid minerals, among other items were recovered from the suspects as exhibits.
