Several foreign nationals and Nigerian citizens have been arrested over their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Amba, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The suspects were apprehended on Friday, July 17, during a security operation led by the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, as part of the state government’s renewed crackdown on illegal mining and other unlawful activities in the solid minerals sector.
The development was disclosed by the Personal Assistant to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Ebenezer Daniel, in a post shared on his Facebook page.
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Although the exact number of those arrested and their identities were not immediately made public, the operation is believed to be part of ongoing efforts by the Nasarawa State Government to curb illegal mining, protect host communities, and enforce compliance with mining regulations.
The state government has repeatedly expressed concern over the activities of illegal miners, warning that unregulated mining poses serious security, environmental and economic risks while depriving the government of legitimate revenue from the solid minerals sector.
Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the roles of those arrested and determine whether additional suspects or collaborators are involved.
The latest operation underscores the state’s commitment to sanitising the mining industry and ensuring that mineral resources are exploited in accordance with the law.