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Mining Marshals arrest five suspects for illegal extraction, impersonation in Abuja

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Mining Marshals have arrested five men over alleged illegal mining activities and impersonation in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, authorities have said.

The suspects were arrested on 27 December, 2025 at Kebi Mangoro, Kuje Area Council, following what officials described as a credible intelligence tip-off on ongoing illegal mining operations.

Those arrested were identified as Muhammed Aliyu, 39; Abdulrahman Hashimu, 32; Tahir Muhammed, 43; Awaje Abduljalal, 19; and Kabiru Adamu, 38.

According to the Mining Marshals, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in operating multiple illegal mining sites across Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa State.

Investigators further alleged that the group deployed a privately owned Toyota Hilux vehicle branded with the colours and insignia of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to evade security checkpoints and intimidate stakeholders.

Officials said the suspects confessed to the offences during interrogation. One of them, who identified himself as a manager, reportedly told investigators that their operations were directed by one Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Salihu, popularly known as Mundasa of Mundasa Global Limited, who is currently at large.

The suspect claimed that only Mr Salihu could explain why the group lacked the requisite licences and statutory documentation required to operate in the solid minerals sector.

In a further twist, the Mining Marshals disclosed that while investigations were ongoing, intelligence reports indicated that the principal suspect and other accomplices still at large allegedly approached the nominal complainant — the lawful mineral title holder on whose concession the arrests were made — in an attempt to compromise and undermine the investigation.

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This alleged interference, officials said, was formally documented by the investigation team and will form part of the evidentiary materials for prosecution, alongside the suspects’ confessional statements, which authorities stressed were obtained voluntarily and without duress.

The Mining Marshals expressed particular concern over what they described as the growing security threats associated with illegal mining, especially the impersonation of security agencies.

They noted that the use of an NSCDC-branded Hilux vehicle by the suspects posed a direct risk to public trust and national security.

Although the suspects were temporarily released on bail following an application by their counsel, Douglas Najime of Chatham Partners, the Mining Marshals said investigations were ongoing.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, ACC John Onoja Attah, Commander of the Mining Marshals, assured that the suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.

Mr Attah said the case would be prosecuted strictly in line with the Mining Marshals’ Standard Operating Procedures, adding that the NSCDC would not relent in its resolve to sanitise Nigeria’s mining sector and dismantle all networks involved in illegal mining activities nationwide.

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Crime

Troops arrest soldier declared wanted for supplying military uniforms to terrorists

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military uniforms to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this in a statement posted on X.

Makama said that the suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility, NAOTF, Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 pm on July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, 2026, where he allegedly went into hiding.

Investigators further established that the soldier was sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.

The security expert further noted that acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.

“The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.

“The arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplices,” Makama added.

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Crime

PHOTOS: N10 billion Cocaine, Loud, opioids intercepted at Lagos ports as NDLEA arrests kingpins

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1 day ago

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July 26, 2026

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A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun market, Lagos Island, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs going to the United Kingdom.

According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson of the agency, Onuigbo was arrested on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, following the interception of his cocaine consignment at the export shed of the Lagos airport the previous day, Wednesday 22nd July by NDLEA operatives.

NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

Babafemi said in the course of investigation, three cargo agents identified as Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina; Adeleke Abiola Taoheed; and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim, who handled the shipment, were initially arrested, leading to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents for shipment to the UK.

The NDLEA spokesperson said Okakpu’s arrest provided the lead to identifying Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate and his eventual arrest while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.

NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

He mentioned that a 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, also involved in illicit drug trafficking, was on Tuesday, 21st July, arrested at her Surulere, Lagos residence by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, 20th July.”

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NDLEA arrests Lagos businessman, others over N10 billion cocaine trafficking; intercepts consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap

In a related development, NDLEA officials seized a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap heading to the UK. The shipment was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday, 22nd July.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Suspected cable thief nabbed in Bayelsa community

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July 26, 2026

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A man accused of stealing cables was paraded in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The suspect was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, 26th July, 2026 by a vigilante group at Ompadec, Amarata, while allegedly stealing electrical cables from a home.

​According to residents, cable theft has become a recurring problem in the area, leaving them feeling vulnerable.

They expressed relief following his apprehension.

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