Troops raid illegal mining site in Abuja, arrest 10 people

Troops from the 176 Guards Battalion detained ten individuals suspected of illegal mining during a raid on an illicit mining site in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Lake Chad counter‑insurgency and security specialist Zagazola Makara announced the operation in a statement posted on X.

Makara said the raid took place at about 3:07 p.m. on May 20 as part of ongoing Operation MESA, which seeks to curb illegal mining and related criminal activity in the FCT and surrounding areas.

According to him, the troops moved in on intelligence indicating the presence of suspected illegal miners in the area.

During the operation, the soldiers apprehended ten suspects believed to be involved in the illegal mining activities.

Recovered items included one motorcycle, 15 mining mats, four head pans and various other mining implements used by the suspects.

“The suspects are currently undergoing profiling and preliminary investigation for further necessary action,” Makara said.

“Operation MESA is part of intensified efforts by security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining activities, which authorities say contribute to environmental degradation, economic sabotage and insecurity in parts of the country,” he added.

“Surveillance and enforcement operations will continue across identified illegal mining locations within the FCT and neighbouring states,” he concluded.