Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Civil Defence arrests six suspects for illegal gold mining in Edo

The Edo government had banned mining in the locality following the influx of foreigners into the state.

• January 14, 2022
NSCDC officers
NSCDC officers used to illustrate the story [photo credit:Vanguard News]

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Edo command, has arrested six persons in connection with illegal gold mining in Ojirame-Afe, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

Aniekan Udoeyop, commandant of the corps in the state, made the disclosure on Friday, in Benin.

Mr Udoeyop, represented by Richard Ogbebor, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), said the suspects were arrested for contravening the Edo government order on mining in the locality.

He explained that the state government had banned mining in the locality following what he described as influx of foreigners into the locality and incidences bordering on insecurity in the area.

He said the suspects who were arrested on Thursday would be charged to court on completion of investigation by the corps.

One of the suspects, who claimed to be a graduate of Marine Engieering from the University of Ghana and hails from the locality, said he was unaware that mining was banned in the community.

The suspect, who confessed to the crime, said he hired the other five suspects to work for him, adding that they had yet to commence mining but we’re only prospecting for gold before their arrest.

He also said that he was given permission to carry out prospecting by two families who owned the land where he was allegedly carrying out the prospecting. He also disclosed that he brought in the other five suspects from Sokoto state to help him.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NDLEA on cannabis farm

States

Delta: NDLEA says 36 hectares of cannabis farm destroyed

NDLEA says it destroyed 36.2 hectares of suspected cannabis plantation and seized N450 million worth of illicit drugs in Delta over the last year.

United States President Donald Trump

World

Trump says ceasefire with Iran over as U.S. launches fresh strikes

IRGC disclosed on Wednesday that it targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait and that it had shot down a U.S. MQ-9 drone.

Economy

Tinubu urges Afreximbank to mobilise resources for Africa’s industrialisation

Mr Tinubu urged the leadership of the African Export-Import Bank to leverage Africa’s human, financial and natural resources to promote economic progress for all Africans.

Armed Cops

States

Bayelsa: Father, son arrested for illegally possessing guns

The Bayelsa police command says it has arrested a 68-year-old man and his 36-year-old son for illegally possessing four single-barrelled firearms.

Plastic bags waste

Africa

Tunisia proposes ban on single-use plastic bags

Members of the Assembly of People’s Representatives in Tunisia have put forward a legislative initiative aimed at a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags.

NSCDC armed female squad

Politics

1,300 NSCDC officers to provide security for Edo LG elections

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 1,300 operatives across Edo’s three senatorial districts to provide security for Saturday’s local government elections.