Nigerian Army Arrests 27 Illegal Miners, Neutralizes Three Terrorists in Nationwide Operations

By Otobong Gabriel,  Abuja 

Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended 27 suspected illegal miners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neutralized three terrorists during ongoing operations across the country within the last 24 hours.

A military source speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja confirmed that personnel of the 7 Guards Battalion, operating under Operation MESA, conducted a raid on an illegal mining site in Iddah, Bwari Area Council, FCT. 

During the operation, 27 individuals were arrested, and the illegal mining camps were dismantled.

Items recovered from the site included a dane gun, four motorcycles, and various mining equipment. Troops also established roadblocks along the Bwari–Ushafa–Dutse axis to maintain security in the area.

The source added that the three terrorists were neutralized during coordinated offensive and response operations as the army continued to apply pressure on criminal networks across multiple regions.

In the North-East, troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) under Operation Hadin Kai maintained offensive operations as part of Operation Desert Sanity V across Sectors 1 to 4. The forces conducted aggressive patrols and routine security measures, with no major incidents reported.

Meanwhile, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops in Sectors 1 to 3 continued to consolidate gains, prevent criminal activities, and restrict freedom of movement for criminal elements.

Troops also responded to a kidnapping incident in Rantya, Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, under Operation Enduring Peace, safely evacuating a wounded gateman to the hospital.

In Kaduna State, soldiers restored calm in Mabushi village, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, following youth unrest, arresting four individuals involved in the disturbance.

In the South-South, troops operating under Operation Delta Safe apprehended a suspected armed robber in Delta State, recovering a locally made pistol and live ammunition. Similarly, in Rivers State, two individuals suspected of illegal oil bunkering were arrested on Bonny Island, and drums of allegedly illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were seized.

The military source emphasized that the Nigerian Army remains committed to denying terrorists and criminal elements any freedom of action while ensuring the safety of lives and property nationwide.