Police Arrest 21, Including 3 Chinese Nationals, in Illegal Mining Bust
In a significant crackdown on illegal mining operations, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has apprehended 21 individuals, including three Chinese nationals, in Azam village near Nasarawa State.
The arrests, including that of a community leader, came as part of a concerted effort by security agencies to combat various criminal activities such as kidnapping and banditry across the FCT and neighboring states like Kogi, Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, and Plateau.
Dubbed operation “Safe G-7,” the initiative aimed to conduct extensive raids and clean-up operations in known hideouts and areas frequented by criminal elements. Acting on actionable intelligence, security forces descended on Azam village, uncovering an illegal mining site.
According to DSP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, the illegal miners, who had established ties with bandits and kidnappers, engaged security personnel in a shootout before being apprehended. Items seized from the suspects included refined and unrefined gold, weapons, mobile phones, motorcycles, drugs, and various tools used in mining.
The operation also revealed a concerning nexus between illegal mining activities and criminal elements, prompting authorities to intensify efforts to root out such illicit operations. The arrested Chinese nationals will be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service to ascertain their immigration status, while suspects linked to drug possession will face investigation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
CP Babaji Sunday, Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to combating crime and urged residents to cooperate by promptly reporting any suspicious activities or emergencies.
Residents were encouraged to utilize designated helplines for reporting, including 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883, to support the ongoing anti-criminality efforts of the police.
