NSCDC Dismantles Major Illegal Mining Syndicate In Kogi State

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat illegal mining in the country.

The NSCDC’s Mining Marshal, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and Development, has dismantled a major illegal mining syndicate operating in the Odiagbo- Okaba district of Ankpa Local Government area of Kogi State.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps Babawale Afolabi says the recent crackdown in Kogi state was led by the Assistant Commandant of Corps , John Onoja Attah and resulted in the arrest of 17 suspects and three trucks impounded as well as 39 motor bikes used for the illicit business.

The statement says the raid was as a result of complaints from local residents over environmental degradation and public health threats allegedly linked to the illegal and unregulated mining activities.

According to the statement the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has continued to reiterate the readiness of the NSCDC to take the battle to all the criminal elements that are feeding fat on the critical national assets of the country.

It states that the recent massive clear out of the illegal miners is also coming on the heels of the Kogi State government’s push for cleaner mining sector and the need to preserve fragile ecosystem and protect host communities.

PR Nkiru Njemanze