NSCDC arrest 15 for allegedly trafficking solid minerals without legal documentation in Edo
The arrests were made in various locations throughout the area, according to Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, who shared the details during a press conference held on Monday, November 17, in Benin City.
Ayinla stated that the suspects had been detained because they were implicated in the transportation of solid minerals without the necessary legal paperwork.
The arrest took place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, by a patrol team that was acting based on trustworthy information.
He explained that he was there to update the public on a major operational success achieved by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Edo State Command, as part of their ongoing efforts to protect the nation's economic resources and prevent damage to critical national assets.
During these operations, six trucks were stopped along the Benin/Sapele Road, all of which were heavily loaded with suspected illegally mined Kyline Clay.
After a detailed examination, the drivers and their assistants could not present any valid documents that authorized the transport of these minerals.
The NSCDC boss of the state mentioned that nine individuals were arrested on the spot.
He gave the names of the suspects as Tobilola Moses, Laseisi Adesegun, Olayinka Dimeji, Joshua Ojo, Peter Oliga, Owolabi Gabriel, Solomon Shedrach, Adela Tannimawo, and Ibrahim Habib.
In a separate operation on the same day, the Monitoring and Surveillance Team detained two more trucks along the Ogbemudia Farm, Auchi Road.
Four additional suspects were arrested as they were found to be transporting solid minerals with documents that were entirely inconsistent and therefore unacceptable.
The vehicles recovered from the suspects are registered as BEN 434 YX and GGE 450 YL.
The drivers were Jimoh Mahmood and Abubakar Aminu, while the motor boys were Abdulmutallib Ibrahim, Mubarak Abdul, and Abdulkareem Nasir, with Nafiu Ibrahim as the escort.
These individuals were arrested for the unauthorized transportation of lithium without proper documentation.
Further, on November 15, 2025, at approximately 0500 hours, Mr. Hassan Rufai from Lafia was detained along the CCA Construction Company area.
He was caught while transporting suspected stolen goods in a Toyota Yaris (Registration Number GAR 193 EA).
The items recovered from the vehicle included a Suntrik solar battery, a Max portable generator, a 14-inch plasma TV, and several charger inverters, according to Ayinla.
He said that the suspect is currently going through a thorough investigation.
Ayinla emphasized that illegal mining is one of the most harmful economic crimes facing the country.
He added that illegal mining leads to significant loss of revenue, environmental damage, destruction of farmland, and contributes to increased insecurity and undermines the government’s economic development initiatives.
He promised that the command will not permit criminal groups to exploit the country's natural resources without facing consequences, warning that under his leadership, anyone involved in illegal mining, the unauthorized transport of minerals, or helping with such activities will be arrested, investigated, and taken to court.
The NSCDC boss revealed that all the suspects and the vehicles have been moved to the command’s exhibition yard for proper record-keeping and further investigation.
He mentioned that the suspects will be officially charged in court once the investigation is complete.