The Mining Marshals have arrested five men for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities and impersonation of a security agency in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The suspects were apprehended on December 27, 2025, at Kebi Mangoro in Kuje Area Council, following credible intelligence reports 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).

According to the Mining Marshals, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were operating multiple illegal mining sites within Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa State. Investigators further alleged that the group used a privately owned Toyota Hilux vehicle painted in the colours and bearing the insignia of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to bypass security checkpoints and intimidate stakeholders.

Officials disclosed that the suspects confessed to the offences during interrogation. One of them, who claimed to be the group’s manager, reportedly told investigators that their activities were directed by Alhaji Mohammed Dahiru Salihu, popularly known as Mundasa of Mundasa Global Limited, who is currently at large.

The suspect reportedly stated that only Mr Salihu could clarify why the group lacked the required licences and statutory documents to operate legally in the solid minerals sector.

In a further development, the Mining Marshals revealed that while investigations were ongoing, intelligence reports showed that the principal suspect and other accomplices still at large allegedly approached the lawful mineral title holder on whose concession the arrests were made, in an attempt to compromise and obstruct the investigation.

Officials said the alleged interference was formally documented by the investigation team and would be included in the evidentiary materials for prosecution, alongside the suspects’ confessional statements, which authorities stressed were obtained voluntarily and without coercion.

The Mining Marshals expressed deep concern over the increasing security risks associated with illegal mining, particularly the impersonation of security agencies. They noted that the use of an NSCDC-branded Hilux vehicle posed a serious threat 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 still ongoing.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, the Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC John Onoja Attah, assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. He added that the case would be prosecuted in strict accordance with the Mining Marshals’ Standard Operating Procedures, stressing that the NSCDC remains committed to sanitising Nigeria’s mining sector and dismantling all illegal mining networks nationwide.