The Mining Marshals have arrested five suspects for alleged illegal mining activities and impersonation of security personnel in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The arrests were carried out on December 27, 2025, at Kebi Mangoro, Kuje Area Council, following credible intelligence on ongoing illegal mining operations in the area.
Those arrested were identified as Muhammed Aliyu (39), Abdulrahman Hashimu (32), Tahir Muhammed (43), Awaje Abduljalal (19), and Kabiru Adamu (38).
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly operated multiple illegal mining sites within Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa State.
According to officials, the suspects also allegedly used a privately owned Toyota Hilux vehicle branded with the colours and insignia of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to bypass security checkpoints and intimidate stakeholders.
Investigators said the suspects made voluntary confessional statements during interrogation.
“One of the suspects, who identified himself as a manager, stated that the illegal operations were being directed by one Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Salihu, popularly known as Mundasa of Mundasa Global Limited, who is currently at large,” the Mining Marshals disclosed.
The suspect reportedly claimed that only Mr Salihu could explain why the group lacked the required licences and statutory documentation to operate in the solid minerals sector.
The Mining Marshals further revealed that intelligence reports indicated attempts by the principal suspect and other accomplices still at large to compromise the investigation by approaching the lawful mineral title holder on whose concession the arrests were made.
Officials said the alleged interference was formally documented and would form part of the evidentiary materials for prosecution, alongside the suspects’ confessional statements, which were obtained without duress.
Expressing concern, the Mining Marshals warned that illegal mining especially when combined with impersonation of security agencies—poses serious threats to public trust and national security.
Although the suspects were granted temporary bail following an application by their counsel, Douglas Najime of Chatham Partners, authorities said investigations were ongoing.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Onoja Attah, said the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
He stressed that the case would be prosecuted in line with established Standard Operating Procedures, added that the NSCDC remained committed to sanitising Nigeria’s mining sector and dismantling illegal mining networks nationwide.
