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Four Chinese Arrested for Illegal Miningin Nasarawa

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Four Chinese Arrested for Illegal Mining
in Nasarawa

By: Michael Mike

Four Chinese have been arrested by the Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at an illegal mining site where Lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

A statement on Saturday by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi read that: “Following the Commissioning of some specially trained NSCDC Personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals; the Team has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal miners sabotaging the economy of the nation.

“The Mining Marshall with a renewed vigour swung into action following credible intelligence and uncovered an illegal mining site where Lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“During the sting operation, the Squad arrested four (4) Chinese nationals who through preliminary investigation admitted that they were running an illegal site used for selling lithium.”

The spokesman said: “While speaking with the Mining Marshall Commander; ACC. Attah John Onoja hinted that the minerals were seized under section 146 (b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 and that the arrest followed the suspect’s refusal to honour the command invitation for questioning.”

He added that an application would be lodged in Court for forfeiture of the impounded lithium minerals while the proceeds would be remitted to the Federal Government.

He said preliminary investigations have unearthed where the minerals were being disposed of without the required license.

He said: “The arrested suspects have confessed to the crime; admitting that they held no certificate or license to deal in the solid minerals. The suspects are running a business venture identified as HOSAN AGRO-ALLIED COMPANY LTD which was registered to deal in agricultural-related activities.

The Federal had vowed to stamp out illegal mining activities across the country and to end the menace of mineral theft plaguing the Solid Minerals sector of the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi has charged the Mining Marshals to work assiduously to rid the Country of illegal miners. He added that in pursuit of this mandate, the Corps will stop at nothing to ensure that all illegal mining activities are stopped nationwide, while perpetrators would be brought to book after a thorough investigation under the full weight of the law, no matter how highly placed.

Four Chinese Arrested for Illegal Mining
in Nasarawa

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Terrorists attack herder, rustle 200 cattle in Monguno

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Terrorists attack herder, rustle 200 cattle in Monguno

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists from the Buduma faction, shot a herder and rustled about 200 cattle in Yele bush area, Monguno Local Government Area, Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that three incident occurred on May 20, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m., according to a report by Abubakar Mohammed of Fulatari Ward, Monguno.

The sources said that his younger brother, Muhammadu Hammadu, 30, was grazing his cattle when the gunmen on foot attacked him, sustaining bullet wounds on his right hand and right buttock.

Security forces are intensifying efforts to track the attackers and recover the stolen livestock.

Terrorists attack herder, rustle 200 cattle in Monguno

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Crime

Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

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Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Police Force in Ogun has arrested one of its officers, Police Constable Idris Oloyede, over alleged involvement in conspiracy, stealing, cybercrime and other related offences.

Zagazola was reliably informed that the arrest was carried out on Wednesday by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta.

A police sources told Zagazola that Oloyede, who bears Force Number 537972, is attached to the patrol team at Odeda Divisional Headquarters.

According to the police sources, the arrest followed credible intelligence and investigation that linked the officer to the suspected crimes.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Odeda Division immediately released the officer for further interrogation upon the arrival of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The suspect has been transferred to the SCID for detailed investigation.

Police officer arrested over alleged Cybercrime, Fraud in Ogun

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Army eliminate 6 Bandits as Forest Sanity III’ pushes deeper into Sokoto forests

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Army eliminate 6 Bandits as Forest Sanity III’ pushes deeper into Sokoto forests

By: Zagazola Makama

As the troops of Operation FANSAN YABMA have continued their aggressive operations in the thick undergrowth of Gandumi Forest, North of Goronyo, the stillness of a late-morning haze was shattered on Thursday as soldiers from the 8 Division Gar Strike Team swept through a cluster of makeshift huts and weapons pits.

It was the latest push under Operation Forest Sanity III, a rolling clearance campaign designed to uproot terrorist and bandit enclaves that have long exploited Sokoto’s sprawling woodlands as a sanctuary.

Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., the troops struck two separate hideouts: one in Gandumi Forest, Goronyo Local Government Area, and another in Indulumu village, Maradun LGA. Military sources told Zagazola Makama that six armed militants were neutralised in the combined raids.

Two AK-47 rifles, three motor-cycles, camouflage fatigues, assorted drugs and maintenance kits were recovered, while the camps themselves were levelled and set ablaze to prevent re-occupation.

“Every foot of ground we seize in these forests denies criminals a staging area,” a senior officer on the mission explained. “The goal is to keep them constantly off balance so they cannot regroup or threaten nearby communities.”

Barely an hour later and 70 kilometres away, a separate drama unfolded in Isa Local Government Area. Dozens of bandits riding motorcycles rolled toward Gamaroji, a dusty farming community often hit by rustling raids, only to meet an ambush laid by crack operatives on special assignment.

Acting on what authorities described as “specific, time-sensitive intelligence,” the team intercepted the convoy at about 11 a.m. A fierce exchange of fire ensued; one gunman was killed, the rest fled, abandoning two Honda motorcycles, an empty AK magazine and two assault rifles bearing.

Local residents told Zagazola Makama that the rapid response averted what could have been a mass abduction or livestock theft.

“We heard gunshots outside the village and thought they had come for us again,” said farmer Bawa Yusuf. “When it fell silent, we saw security men bringing out seized rifles. People are breathing easier tonight.”

Sokoto’s Eastern corridor from Goronyo down through Isa into Zamfara’s Maradun axis forms a critical transit route for armed gangs shuttling cattle, weapons and abductees between forest camps and black market buyers.

Operation Forest Sanity III, launched in March as the newest phase of the multi agency offensive, focuses on these corridors. Its mix of deliberate daytime assaults and intelligence driven night manoeuvres has already yielded a string of weapons recoveries and hostage rescues.

A defence Intelligence said the aim is two-fold: “Deny the bad actors depth and logistics, while reassuring civilians that the state is reclaiming every contested space.”

For villages like Gamaroji and Indulumu, each successful raid offers a brief respite. Yet many residents remain cautious, mindful that retreating fighters often strike back at soft targets.

A District head who chose to be anonymous for the fear of being targeted urged continued vigilance. “We thank the security forces for today’s success,” he told Zagazola. “But we still need sustained patrols and quick response lines because the criminals melt into other forests.”

Military commanders say the campaign will persist “until all camps are dismantled and freedom of movement is restored.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region
End

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