NSCDC Arrests 16 Suspects for Illegal Solid Mineral Transportation in Edo

The Edo State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested no fewer than 16 suspects in connection with illegal mining and unauthorized transportation of solid minerals across the state. The arrests were made in multiple locations following intensified operations aimed at safeguarding the nation’s economic resources.

Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, the head of the state command, disclosed the major operational breakthrough during a press briefing in Benin City on Monday. He stated that the suspects were apprehended for allegedly conveying solid minerals without the requisite legal documents, an economic crime that severely impacts state and federal revenues.

The primary wave of arrests occurred on Sunday, November 16, 2025, after the NSCDC patrol team acted on credible intelligence. During the operation, six heavy-duty trucks were intercepted along the Benin/Sapele Road. All trucks were heavily loaded with a substance suspected to be illegally mined Kyline Clay. A thorough inspection revealed that the drivers and their assistants could not produce any valid documentation authorizing the transportation of the minerals, leading to the immediate arrest of nine individuals at the scene.

Commandant Ayinla identified these nine suspects as Tobilola Moses, Laseisi Adesegun, Olayinka Dimeji, Joshua Ojo, Peter Oliga, Owolabi Gabriel, Solomon Shedrach, Adela Tannimawo, and Ibrahim Habib.

In a separate, coordinated operation conducted on the same day, the Command’s Monitoring and Surveillance Team intercepted two additional trucks along the Ogbemudia Farm, Auchi Road axis. This operation resulted in the arrest of four more suspects who were conveying solid minerals with documents deemed “completely irreconcilable and unacceptable.” These four individuals, identified as drivers Jimoh Mahmood and Abubakar Aminu, along with motor boys Abdulmutallib Ibrahim and Mubarak Abdul, as well as an escort named Nafiu Ibrahim and another suspect Abdulkareem Nasir, were arrested for conveying lithium without proper documentation. The vehicles recovered were registered as BEN 434 YX and GGE 450 YL.

The Command also reported a separate but related arrest made on November 15, 2025. At approximately 5:00 a.m., one Mr. Hassan Rufai from Lafia was arrested along the CCA Construction Company axis while conveying suspected stolen items in a Toyota Yaris (Reg. No. GAR 193 EA). Items recovered included a Suntrik solar battery, a Max portable generator, a 14-inch plasma TV, and a multiple charger inverter. This suspect is also undergoing thorough investigation.

Commandant Ayinla emphasized the devastating impact of illegal mining, which he listed as a major economic crime confronting the nation. Consequences include massive revenue loss, extensive environmental degradation and destruction of farmlands, increased insecurity, and sabotage of government’s economic development efforts. He vowed that the command would not tolerate criminal elements plundering the state’s resources with impunity, stressing that anyone involved in illegal mining, unauthorized transportation of minerals, or aiding such activities will be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted. All suspects and seized vehicles have been moved to the command’s exhibit yard for documentation, and charges will be filed in court upon completion of the investigation.