54 illegal miners, telecommunication mast vandals arrested in FCT

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 51 suspected illegal miners and three telecommunication mast vandals in the territory.

While parading the suspects on Monday at the command’s headquarters, the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, said the three vandalism suspects were apprehended by the men of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Unit, following a tip-off of the dismantling activity at Giri area.

He said before the decommissioning of any mast, approval of such an act must be obtained from the NSCDC being the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the country..

He disclosed that the suspects, during interrogation by the command’s Anti-vandal Unit, were unable to show approval from the corps.

 “Neither do they have any proper means of identification showing who they are and the company they are working for,” he said.

The commandant disclosed that in a similar operation, 51 suspects were arrested in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT for engaging in illegal mining activities.

Odumosu explained that the suspects had been profiled, adding that no evidence was found of a registered company they were operating under or exploration and mining licence.

 “All acts of illegal mining encroach on the soil and cause environmental degradation and erosion and that is why most of these areas are no longer useful for agricultural and human activities,” Odumosu said.

He said after thoroughly investigating both cases, the suspects would be charged to court for further disciplinary action that will serve as deterrence to others.

Exhibits recovered from the 54 suspects were dismantled metal mast parts and five pumping machines.

Others were an un-quantified amounts of substance alleged to be gold dust, pumping hoses, ten litres of fuel, shovels, diggers and head-pan.