Troops storm illegal mining site in Abuja, arrest 10
Troops Arrest 10 Suspected Illegal Miners in Gwagwalada Raid
Troops from the 176 Guards Battalion apprehended 10 individuals suspected of illegal mining during a raid in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on May 20.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert focused on the Lake Chad region, reported the operation took place around 3:07 p.m. It was part of Operation MESA, an initiative aimed at addressing illegal mining and associated criminal activities in the FCT and surrounding areas.
The troops conducted the raid based on intelligence regarding the activities of suspected illegal miners. During the operation, they seized a motorcycle, 15 mining mats, four head pans, and various other mining tools.
Makama stated that the suspects are currently undergoing profiling and preliminary investigations in preparation for further legal action.
This operation reflects ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat illegal mining, which authorities claim significantly contributes to environmental degradation, economic destabilization, and insecurity within the region.
He noted that surveillance and enforcement activities would persist across identified illegal mining sites in the FCT and neighboring states.
