From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 51 suspected illegal miners and three suspected telecommunication mast vandals in the territory.
In a statement, FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu stated that the three suspected vandals were apprehended by the Critical National Assets and infrastructure unit, following a tip-off by the FCT Command intelligence and undercover operatives
He stated that before the decommissioning of any mast, an approval of such act must be obtained from the NSCDC being the lead agency in the protection of critical national asset and infrastructure in the country.
The commandant disclosed that the suspects during interrogation by the Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit, were unable to show any tangible proof of themselves.
“Neither do they have any proper means of identification of who they are and the company they are working for.
“Upon further questioning, they revealed that a certain business man had already paid the sum of N4 million ahead of the dismantling.
“investigation is being carried out to determine the business man’s level of culpability and ownership claim after which necessary action will be taken” he said
The Commandant disclosed that in a similar operation, 51 suspects were arrested in Gwagwalada area of the FCT for engaging in illegal mining.
Odumosu explained that the suspects, all male, had been profiled and had no evidence of a registered company they were operating under as well as no exploration and mining licence.
“All acts of illegal mining encroaches on the soil and causes environmental degradation and erosion and that is why most of these areas are no longer useful for agricultural and human activities,” Odumosu said.
He said that after a thorough investigation of both cases, the suspects would be charged to court for further disciplinary action.
“Exhibits recovered from the 54 suspects were dismantled metal mast parts, five pumping machines.
Unquantified amount of substances alleged to be gold dust, pumping hoses, 10 litres of fuel, shovels, diggers and headpans.
According to Odumosu, henceforth, the corps will not relent to arrest any form of sabotage on the economy adding that the Federal Government is trying so hard to provide infrastructure to make life easy.
“People are quick in condemning government but people like these are the ones destroying the efforts of the Federal Government,” the commandant added.
The commandant warned vandals and criminals in the FCT to relocate, stressing that there is no hiding place for them in the territory.