The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested 21 people suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities following a security operation in Zurmi and Maradun Local Councils of the state.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the arrests were made on January 31, 2026, during a joint raid carried out by operatives of the Anti-Illegal Mining Unit, Tactical Unit and Bomb Disposal Unit, in collaboration with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and officials of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.

He said the operation covered Boko Village in Zurmi and Kaya Village in Maradun Local Councils, both identified as hotspots for illegal mining.

Abubakar added that the suspects had been handed over to the Taskforce on Illegal Mining for further investigation, noting that more details would be provided as the case unfolds.