Sixteen individuals have been arrested over illegal gold mining activities in the Gwagwalada area of the federal capital territory (FCT).
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development said the suspects were apprehended during an operation by mining marshals, who also sealed off the affected sites.
The ministry explained that artisanal miners stormed the community after a “gold vein was accidentally discovered” during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential building.
The ministry further disclosed that the illegal activity most recently occurred on a farmland located behind CKC in Gwagwalada.
Sunday Okhuoya, deputy director in the mines inspectorate department, who led officials on an on-the-spot assessment, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the minister’s directive.
He noted that investigations are ongoing to establish the root cause of the invasions and to recommend measures to forestall a repeat.
John Attah Onoja, commander of the mining marshals, said his team has mounted 24-hour surveillance over the sealed sites pending the outcome of the federal government’s investigation.
He cautioned residents to avoid the affected locations due to potential environmental and public health risks.
The ministry added that the federal government is accelerating the deployment of satellite surveillance technology to boost monitoring and clamp down on illegal mining nationwide.