By Ahmed Ahmed
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Bauchi state command has arrested 29 suspects for alleged illegal mining and vandalism of infrastructure in the state.
The Commandant, Oloyede Nelson Oyerinde, announced this at a news conference on Saturday in Bauchi.
He said the illegal mining operations were taking place around the Waya Dam environ, which is located about 40 km away from Bauchi metropolis.
“The mining activities were causing erosion, land encroachment, posing insecurity, and affecting the socioeconomic activities of the people in the area,” he said.
According to him, swung into action following a directive from the state commandant, and arrested Adamu Muhammed and 27 others on January 5, 2025.
“Items recovered at the site include, three bajaj motorcycles, six wheel barrows, fifteen shovels ,five diggers, three hoes, three rakes one axe.
“Others are one cutlass, one sand net, two water hose pipes and one water pumping machine
Additionally, Muntaka Tanko was arrested for vandalization and theft of armoured cable at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb in Bauchi.
“The suspect was caught with a handsaw and pieces of vandalized armoured cables,” Oyerinde said
The Commandant emphasised that protecting critical national assets and infrastructure is one of the NSCDC’s mandates, and they will continue to hunt down anyone involved in illegal activities in the State.
