Benin City: In a decisive sweep, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade arrested 58 suspected illegal miners and freed two kidnapped sisters in separate operations across Etsako West and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas of Edo State.
The spokesperson of the brigade, Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin on Monday.
Anyanwu said that the 58 suspects were arrested at about 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, during a patrol by troops of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME), acting on credible intelligence.
He stated that troops apprehended the suspects at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
He added that the operation is part of efforts to combat illegal mining and related crimes.
He said, ‘We have handed the suspects over to the Okpella Police Division for further investigation and necessary action.’
He added that the operation was carried out without resistance.
He also said that in a related development, troops of the brigade rescued two kidnapped sisters in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, after a coordinated pursuit forced their abductors to flee.
According to him, kidnappers reportedly abducted Odion Momoh, 17, and Sonia Momoh, 23, on March 27 from a residence near the NASEME facility in Auchi.
Anyanwu said that troops swiftly responded to a distress call. They launched a joint operation involving personnel from NASEME, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Police, and local vigilantes.
When nearly encircled, the criminals abandoned the victims and fled, he said.
He added that the victims were rescued at about 8;30 p.m. and had since been reunited with their families.
He also said security agencies continue to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle criminal networks operating in the area.
He further said the military has stepped up efforts to secure communities across the state.
