Security agencies in Kogi State are stepping up efforts to curb illegal mining, following the arrest of fourteen suspects in coordinated operations across the state.
The Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade has paraded six suspects alongside mining equipment recovered during the operations in Lokoja, while eight other suspects are undergoing prosecution.
The fight against illegal mining in Kogi State has recorded another breakthrough, with security agencies intensifying operations to protect the state’s mineral resources.
At the Chari Maigumeri Barracks in Lokoja, the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade presented six suspected illegal miners and equipment seized during the crackdown.
The arrest brings to fourteen the number of suspects apprehended in the ongoing operations, with eight already facing prosecution.
The Kogi State Security Adviser says intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies are being strengthened to identify illegal mining sites and dismantle the networks behind the activities.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which has taken custody of the suspects and recovered equipment, reiterates the need for mining operators to comply with relevant laws and environmental standards.
The security agencies say joint operations and intelligence sharing will continue as part of efforts to safeguard Kogi State’s mineral wealth and prevent illegal mining activities from providing cover for other forms of criminality.
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Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu
