NSCDC arrests 51 ‘illegal miners, three vandals’ in Abuja

Speaking on Monday in Abuja, Olusola Odumosu, NSCDC FCT commandant, said the three suspected vandals were arrested following a security tip-off of the dismantling activity at the Giri area of the nation’s capital.

The commandant said before the decommissioning of a mast, approval must be obtained from the NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.

He said the suspects, during interrogation, were unable to show any paper of approval.

“Neither do they have any proper means of identification showing who they are and the company they are working for,” NAN quoted Odumosu as saying.

“Upon further questioning, they revealed that a certain businessman had already been paid the sum of N4 million ahead of the dismantling which raised suspicion of a premeditated act of vandalism.

“Ongoing investigation is being carried out to determine his level of culpability and ownership claim, after which necessary action will be taken.”

The commandant said the 51 suspected illegal miners were arrested in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT.

Odumosu said the suspects, all male, after being profiled had no evidence of operating under a registered company and had no exploration and mining licence.

“All acts of illegal mining encroaches on the soil and cause environmental degradation and erosion, and that is why most of these areas are no longer useful for agricultural and human activities,” he added.

Odumosu said after a thorough investigation of both cases, the suspects would be charged in court for further disciplinary action.

The commandant listed the exhibits recovered from the 54 suspects to include dismantled metal mast parts, and five pumping machines.

“Unquantified amount of substance alleged to be gold dust, pumping holes, ten litres of fuel, shovels, diggers and head-pan were seized. Henceforth, we will not relent to arrest any form of sabotage on the economy,” he added.

“The federal government is trying so hard to provide infrastructure to make life easy, but some miscreants in the name of vandalism and illegal mining are trying to destroy what has been provided,” he said.

“People are quick to condemn the government, but people like these are the ones dehumanising the efforts of the federal government.”

He warned vandals and other criminals in the FCT to relocate, noting that the NSCDC will not allow the sabotage of the economy to continue in the territory.