The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 19 suspected illegal miners during an operation in a forest in the northern part of the state.
The suspects were apprehended on Friday, August 28, 2026, by personnel of the command’s Mining Marshal Unit following intelligence and surveillance on suspected illegal mining activities in the Okpella, Ososo and Egbetua forest axis of Etsako East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas.
The Edo State NSCDC Commander, Saidi Akintayo, disclosed the arrests on Tuesday during a press conference in Benin City. He said the operation began at about 3:35pm despite the difficult terrain, poor road network, hills and thick vegetation in the area.
According to him, 19 suspects were arrested at the mining site, while two others escaped into the surrounding forest.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in illegal gold mining. The command said 15 of them were allegedly working for a man known as “Area”, while four others were reportedly working for another individual identified as Abu Mawain under the name Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
Several items were recovered during the operation, including one pumping machine, five head pans, 13 carpets or rugs, six shovels, 15 mobile phones, one power bank and four identity cards bearing the name Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd.
The NSCDC said the two alleged leaders, “Area” and Abu Mawain, remain at large, while efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest them.
The command also said the arrested suspects had made statements admitting their alleged involvement and would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.
Akintayo warned that the NSCDC would intensify its crackdown on illegal mining activities across Edo State, stressing that the government’s mineral resources must not be exploited unlawfully.
He said the Mining Marshal Unit had been directed to identify not only those working at illegal mining sites but also financiers, sponsors and other individuals benefiting from the activities.
The NSCDC commander commended the officers involved in the operation and urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in tackling illegal mining.
The latest operation comes amid broader efforts by the Edo State Government and federal authorities to strengthen regulation of mining activities and protect the state’s mineral resources. The Edo State Government previously established a task force to combat illegal mining and promote lawful mining practices.
The allegations against the arrested suspects have not been established in court, and they remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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