Five men have been arrested by the Mining Marshals for alleged illegal mining activities and impersonation in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The suspects were apprehended on December 27, 2025, at Kebi Mangoro, following what officials described as credible intelligence on the operation of illegal mining sites 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, according to the Mining Marshals, revealed that the suspects were involved in running several unauthorised mining sites within Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Investigators further alleged that the group 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 legitimate stakeholders.
Officials said the suspects admitted their involvement 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, also known as Mundasa of Mundasa Global Limited, who is currently on the run.
The suspect was said to have maintained that only the alleged mastermind could account for the absence of valid licences and statutory approvals required for mining operations in the solid minerals sector.
The Mining Marshals also disclosed that intelligence reports indicated attempts by the principal suspect and other accomplices still at large to interfere with the investigation by approaching the lawful mineral title holder on whose concession the arrests were made.
Officials said the alleged move to compromise the probe had been formally documented and would be tendered as part of the evidence in court, alongside the suspects’ confessional statements, which they stressed were made voluntarily.
Expressing concern over the security implications of illegal mining, the Mining Marshals warned that impersonation of security agencies, particularly the use of an NSCDC-branded vehicle, poses a serious threat to public trust and national security.
Although the suspects were granted 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 arraigned at the conclusion of investigations, assuring that the case would be prosecuted in line with established procedures.
He added that the Mining Marshals and the NSCDC would continue efforts to sanitise the mining sector and dismantle networks involved in illegal mining activities across the country.