In a bid to stem the tide of insecurity and truncate the activities of illegal miners in Ondo State, owing to its attendant negative implications on the state and national economy, troops of 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army (NA), arrested 26 suspected illegal miners operating in Ondo State.
The arrest was made on 3 September 2024, during a raid operation, following credible intelligence on their activities at suspected illegal mining sites at Gate, Modebiayo, Kokuma, Obado, Okesa, Amasiko, Adoba, Abanasiru and Obadonu communities, in Ondo West Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking during the parading of the suspects, at Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment Akure on 12 September 2024, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Ondo State, Engineer Rasak Obe, commended NA troops for their swift and clinical response against illegal miners in the State. He further solicited for the cooperation of all stakeholders; stressing that the menace of illegal mining need to be permanently addressed, as it poses the tendencies to exacerbate insecurity in the state and the country at large.
The suspected illegal miners were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command for further investigation and prosecution. Items found in their custody during the arrest, which include; 7 mobile phones, 21 head pans, 4 cutlasses, 12 shovels, 12 painter buckets, foot rest/carpets and sack containing clothes, were also handed over to the NSCDC.
The clampdown on illegal miners, is a clear indication that troops of 32 Artillery Brigade, are totally committed to protecting Nigeria’s critical infrastructures and getting the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) rid of all forms of criminal activities and economic sabotage. The Brigade appreciates the good people of Ondo State for their continuous support to troops in the area of information sharing to rid the state of all forms of criminality and other vices.
NJOKA IRABOR
Captain
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
32 Artillery Brigade
14 September 2024