A joint team of security operatives has apprehended 12 individuals suspected of engaging in unauthorized mining activities in Ondo State.
The operation, which was carried out by personnel from the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, resulted in the arrest of those allegedly involved in illegal mining.
The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40; Hassan Bala, 40; Alawude Damilarin; Ajayi Ebukun, 35; Oluwaseun Rufus, 34; Adebayo James, 25; Kamal Zaharadeen, 25; Mohammed Bello Lawal, 25; Yunusa Mohammed, 24; Ma’azu Auwal, 24; Bashir Muktar, 24; and Kabiru Sani, 21, were taken into custody.
Olugbenga Atiba, the Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, confirmed the arrests to journalists in Akure on Thursday, August 8.
Atiba revealed that the suspects, mostly from Niger and Zamfara States, were apprehended during a task force operation based on credible intelligence aimed at curbing kidnapping activities in the region.
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“We deployed our personnel across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State, penetrating deep into the forests to prevent kidnapping and make necessary arrests. The illegal miners, primarily from Niger and Zamfara, had infiltrated these areas and were conducting unauthorized activities until their capture,” Atiba stated.