Police Arrest Seven for Illegal Mining, Vandalism at Gurara Waterfalls in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has arrested seven individuals over alleged involvement in illegal mining and the vandalisation of government property in Gurara Local Government Area.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Minna by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.

According to the statement, the operation was part of ongoing efforts by the police to protect public assets across the state.

Abiodun explained that the suspects were apprehended on March 22 at about 5:00 p.m. following a report of illegal mining activities and destruction of property at the Gurara Waterfalls site. Operatives attached to the Gawu-Babangida Division carried out a sting operation within the facility, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

He noted that the suspects, aged between 27 and 40, hail from the Tsauni area of Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory and Lambata in Niger State.

Items recovered from them include two water pump engines, 14 carpets, six shovels, three diggers, two pipes, and seven head pans.

The police spokesperson added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.

He further revealed that in a similar operation conducted on March 17 at the same location, eight suspects were arrested, with 13 shovels and six diggers among the items recovered.

Abiodun reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining the crackdown on illegal mining and vandalism, warning that offenders would continue to face the full weight of the law.