The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have arrested two suspects over alleged illegal gold mining activities in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Corps said the operation followed intelligence and a petition alleging unauthorised mining activities within the coordinates of a valid exploration licence.

Operatives subsequently moved to the location, where the two suspects were apprehended at what the NSCDC described as an active gold extraction site.

Preliminary investigations by the Mining Marshals indicated that mining activities were allegedly being conducted outside the boundaries of an approved mineral title area, raising questions about possible regulatory violations and unauthorised exploitation of mineral resources.

The NSCDC said the operation followed concerns over the environmental and security implications of unregulated mining activities in the area.

Residents had also reportedly raised concerns about the effects of mining operations, prompting increased scrutiny of activities at the site.

The suspects are currently assisting investigators, while efforts are underway to identify other individuals who may be connected to the operation.

Investigators are also examining the circumstances surrounding activities at the site and possible violations of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.

Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Onoja Attah, said the operation formed part of the Corps’ efforts to tackle illegal mining and protect legitimate mineral title holders from encroachment.

Attah said the specialised enforcement unit would continue to rely on intelligence, surveillance, investigation and prosecution in tackling illegal mining networks across the country.

According to him, enforcement operations are intended to strengthen compliance with mining regulations and ensure that operators found to have violated the law are prosecuted.

He warned individuals and groups involved in illegal mining to desist, saying the Mining Marshals would continue operations against unauthorised mineral exploitation across the country.

The operation also follows a directive by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for the Corps to intensify efforts against illegal mining and other activities considered threats to the country’s national assets.

The NSCDC said it has strengthened intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration as part of efforts to improve enforcement within the solid minerals sector.

Illegal and unregulated mining has remained a challenge for Nigeria as authorities seek to increase investment and government revenue from the country’s solid mineral resources while addressing environmental damage, insecurity and unauthorised exploitation associated with some mining operations.

The Corps said investigations into the Gwagwalada operation were continuing and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.