NSCDC Arrests 19 Suspected Illegal Miners, Launches Manhunt for Two Alleged Operators in Edo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 19 suspected illegal miners during a raid on a gold mining site in Edo State, while two alleged operators linked to the activity remain at large.

The suspects were arrested on Friday, August 28, 2026, when operatives of the NSCDC Mining Marshal Unit raided a suspected illegal mining site within the Okpella, Ososo and Egbetua forest axis, covering parts of Etsako East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas of Edo State.

The Edo State NSCDC Commandant, Saidi Akintayo, disclosed the arrests during a press briefing in Benin City, explaining that the operation followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance of suspected illegal mining activities in the area.

According to Akintayo, the operation began at about 3:35 p.m. despite difficult terrain, poor road access, hills and thick vegetation in the forest. The Mining Marshal Unit eventually located the suspected mining site and arrested 19 people, while two others escaped into the surrounding forest.

Preliminary investigations by the corps indicated that the arrested suspects were allegedly involved in illegal gold mining and were working for two individuals identified as a man known as “Area” and Abu Mawain.

The NSCDC said 15 of the suspects were allegedly working for “Area”, while four others were reportedly linked to Abu Mawain under the name Gravity Pillars Concept Ltd. The two alleged operators have not been arrested, and the command said efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend them.

During the operation, NSCDC personnel recovered several items from the mining location. They included 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.

Akintayo said the arrested suspects had made statements to investigators concerning their alleged involvement and would be charged to court after the investigation is concluded. The planned prosecution means that the allegations against the suspects will still be subject to the judicial process.

The commandant described the operation as part of the Edo State command’s continuing efforts to tackle illegal mining and the unlawful exploitation of the state’s mineral resources.

He said the operation would not be limited to people found working at mining sites, adding that the command was also targeting financiers, sponsors and other individuals allegedly benefiting from illegal mining activities.

Akintayo said the Mining Marshal Unit had been directed to intensify operations across Edo State and identify other locations where mineral resources are allegedly being exploited outside the law.

The NSCDC commandant also appealed to residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying illegal mining activities and locating individuals suspected of organising or financing such operations.

Illegal mining has remained a concern for authorities because it involves the extraction of mineral resources outside approved regulatory arrangements. Beyond the loss of potential government revenue, unlawful mining can create environmental and security challenges, particularly where activities take place in remote areas beyond regular oversight.

For the NSCDC, the Edo operation also highlights the importance of intelligence gathering and surveillance in tackling mining activities conducted in difficult-to-access forest locations.

The immediate focus of the command is now expected to be the investigation of the 19 suspects in custody and the search for the two alleged operators who escaped before they could be arrested.

While the NSCDC has described the activities as illegal mining, the suspects remain legally presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise. Any criminal liability arising from the operation will therefore be determined through the judicial process.

The command has nevertheless made clear that its crackdown will continue, with the investigation expected to extend beyond the miners found at the site to individuals who may have financed, organised or benefited from the alleged operations.