No fewer than 16 suspects have been arrested by the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in the State.
The suspects were arrested in different locations in the state.
Recall that Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, in charge of the state disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday in Benin City.
Ayinla alleged that the suspects were arrested for allegedly conveying solid minerals without legal documents.
He said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, 16, 2025 during the patrol team while acting on credible intelligence.
“Today, I am here to brief you on a major operational breakthrough recorded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Edo State Command, in our intensified efforts to safeguard the nation’s economic resources and protect critical national assets from sabotage”, he said.
He said during the operations six trucks were intercepted along the Benin/Sapele Road, all heavily loaded with suspected illegally mined Kyline Clay.
He said after thorough inspection, the drivers and their assistants could not produce any valid documents authorizing the transportation of the minerals.
The state’s NSCDC boss said, nine persons were arrested on the spot.
Ayinla gave the names of the suspects as Tobilola Moses, Laseisi Adesegun, Olayinka Dimeji, Joshua Ojo, Peter Oliga, Owolabi Gabriel, Solomon Shedrach, Adela Tannimawo and Ibrahim Habib.
“In a separate operation on the same day, the Monitoring and Surveillance Team intercepted two additional trucks along Ogbemudia Farm, Auchi Road.
“Four more suspects were arrested for conveying solid minerals with documents that were completely irreconcilable and unacceptable.
“The Vehicles recovered from the suspects are BEN 434 YX and GGE 450 YL. The drivers are Jimoh Mahmood and Abubakar Aminu, while the motor boys are Abdulmutallib Ibrahim and Mubarak Abdul as well as Abdulkareem Nasir while escort is Nafiu Ibrahim.
“These individuals were arrested for conveying lithium without proper documentation.
“Furthermore, on November, 15, 2025, at about 0500 hours, one Mr. Hassan Rufai from Lafia was arrested along the CCA Construction Company axis.
“He was intercepted while conveying suspected stolen items in a Toyota Yaris (Reg. No. GAR 193 EA).
“The items recovered from the vehicle include Suntrik solar battery, Max portable generator, 14-inch plasma TV and Multiple charger inverter”, he stated
He said the suspect is currently undergoing thorough investigation.
While noting that illegal mining is one of the most devastating economic crimes confronting the nation, he listed some of the causes of economic crimes to massive revenue loss, environmental degradation, destruction, destruction of farmlands, increased insecurity, and sabotage of government’s economic development efforts.
He vowed that the command would not allow criminal elements to plunder our God-given resources with impunity, threatening that under his watch, anyone involved in illegal mining, unauthorized transportation of minerals, or aiding such activities will be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted.
The NSCDC boss disclosed that all the suspects and vehicles have been moved to the command’s exhibit yard for proper documentation and further investigation.
He said the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.
He said the Command remains fully committed, vigilant, and resolute in protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, assuring that they would not relent, compromise and would not allow criminals to thrive in the state.
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