Army Cracks Down On Illegal Mining In Abuja, Arrests 13 Suspects

Troops of the Nigerian Army have launched a series of highly successful, coordinated raids across multiple geopolitical zones, resulting in the direct arrest of 13 suspected illegal miners within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the disruption of active criminal networks in Taraba, Kogi and Sokoto states.

The multi-pronged security update was formally made available to defense journalists on Sunday afternoon via an official operational brief detailing the latest milestones achieved under the ongoing Operation Mesa and Operation Fansan Yamma.

The primary operation in the nation's capital targeted an active, unauthorized mining camp operating deep within the Bwari Area Council of the FCT. Frontline infantry troops successfully breached the illegal perimeter, arresting 13 operators on-site. Military engineers completely dismantled the camp's heavy mining machinery and destroyed the structural encampment.

A thorough search of the site yielded an extensive inventory of economic sabotage tools, including 27 specialized shovels, 32 industrial head pans, high-capacity water pumps, mechanical diggers and various prohibited excavating equipment.

The military brief also spotlighted successful anti-crime operations stretching across several state commands:

"In Taraba State, troops acting on precise local intelligence arrested a prime suspect in the Wukari Local Government Area over extensive, fraudulent military recruitment activities," the defense update stated. "The suspect had reportedly swindled unsuspecting civilians out of ₦3.6 million under false pretences by promising them automatic entry into the armed forces."

Meanwhile, in Kogi State, army intelligence units successfully neutralized a dangerous logistics pipeline feeding armed insurgent cells. Troops operating in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area apprehended a high-profile suspected terrorist collaborator known to have active operational links to a regional terror network.

Following up on his custodial confession, troops intercepted two additional suspected logistics suppliers along the Lokoja and Kabba transit corridors. Items recovered from this specific cell include multiple encrypted mobile phones, state identity cards, combat machetes and a large stash of operational cash.

Farther north, in Sokoto State, frontline troops operating under the banner of Operation Fansan Yamma scored a major victory for agrarian communities. During a heavy combat patrol through the Sabon Birni Local Government Area, troops intercepted a massive gang of cattle rustlers. Upon sighting the advancing military convoy, the armed terrorists abandoned their stolen cargo and fled deep into the border bushes.

Troops successfully recovered 37 rustled cattle from the scene. Following proper identification and tracking protocols, the recovered livestock were formally handed over to local municipal and traditional authorities for swift return to their rightful owners. The Army High Command reaffirmed its unalloyed commitment to sustaining maximum pressure on kidnappers, armed robbers and economic saboteurs alike, calling on everyday Nigerians to keep feeding frontline units with real-time intelligence.