Troops arrest 98 illegal miners in gwagwalada raid, recover equipment
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 176 Guards Battalion under Operation MESA have arrested 98 suspected illegal miners during a raid on an illegal mining site in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama the operation was conducted at about 5:55 p.m. on March 23, following intelligence on illegal mining activities in the area.
According to the sources, the troops stormed the site and apprehended the suspects without resistance.
Items recovered during the operation include one vehicle, eight motorcycles, five pumping machines, 27 shovels, seven sledgehammers, 22 diggers, three head pans, five mining mats, and a sack of charcoal.
The sources added that the arrested suspects have been handed over to the Guards Brigade Provost Group for further investigation and necessary action.
