Four suspected illegal miners and a dealer were arrested in Minna, the Niger State capital yesterday.
The state government Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recently strengthened surveillance in various illegal mining sites in the state, leading to the arrest of over 50 illegal miners in one week.
The four were arrested during an operation at mining sites around the 3 Arms Zone along the Western Bypass and Caterigwari Mechanic Village, all in Minna.
The information officer in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Dibie Maureen, said the arrests were made in the operation led by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Yunusa Nahauni.
She noted with concern that the same communities that complained about illegal miners in their areas were unfortunately shielding them.
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