Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested three suspected illegal gold miners in Borno State.
The arrest, carried out by the commission’s Maiduguri Zonal Directorate, took place in Mallam Jakwa Town, located in Hawul Local Government Area, following actionable intelligence on the suspects’ activities.
The development was disclosed in a statement shared by the EFCC on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday.
According to the agency, the suspects — Umar Muhammad, Modu Bamai Umar, and Sani Samaila — were apprehended for their alleged involvement in illegal mining operations in the area.
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The EFCC noted that the suspects’ activities are contributing to rising insecurity and environmental degradation in the state.
Items recovered from them at the point of arrest include a small gold measuring machine and quantities of mined gold.
The commission added that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.