Fifty-one suspected illegal miners alongside 3 suspected telecommunication mast vandals have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu disclosed this when he paraded the suspects before newsmen on Monday, February 26, 2024,  at the Command’s Headquarters, Wise, Zone 5, Abuja.

Odumosu said that the three vandalism suspects were apprehended by his men in the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit, following a tip-off of the dismantling activity at the Giri area by the FCT Command intelligence and undercover operatives.

He explained that before the decommissioning of any mast, approval of such an act must be obtained from the NSCDC being the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the country.

He disclosed that the suspects during interrogation by the Command’s Anti-vandal Unit, were unable to show approval from the Corps.

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

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

The Commandant disclosed that in a similar operation, 51 suspects were arrested in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT for engaging in illegal mining activities.

Odumosu explained that the suspects, all male, had been profiled and had no evidence of a registered company they were operating under as well as no exploration and mining licence.

“All acts of illegal mining encroach on the soil and causes environmental degradation and erosion and that is why most of these areas are no longer useful for agricultural and human activities,” Odumosu said.

He said that after thoroughly investigating both cases, the suspects would be charged to court for further disciplinary action that will serve as deterrence to others.

Exhibits recovered from the 54 suspects were dismantled metal mast parts, five pumping machines, an un-quantified amount of substance alleged to be gold dust, pumping hoses, ten litres of fuel, shovels, diggers and head- pan.

“Henceforth, we will not relent to arrest any form of sabotage on the economy; the Federal Government is trying so hard to provide infrastructure to make life easy,” Odumosu said.

“And some miscreants in the name of vandalism and illegal mining are trying to destroy what has been provided.

“People are quick in condemning government but people like these are the ones destroying the efforts of the Federal Government,” the Commandant added.

The Command Head warned vandals and criminals in the FCT to relocate, stressing that, the NSCDC was out for them as there is no hiding place left for them in the territory.