Police in Niger State have arrested 70 illegal miners.
The state commissioner of police, Shawulu Danmamman, disclosed this in Minna yesterday.
He said illegal mining had been one of the security challenges in the state, especially within Shiroro, Rafi, Paiko, Katcha and Chanchaga.
He said the command had been tackling this with other security agencies through frequent raids and arrests.
“Over 70 illegal/artisan miners were arrested within the year with exhibits such as head pans, shovels, diggers, cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous weapons,” Danmamman disclosed.
He said the suspects were prosecuted accordingly with various punishments.
According to the commissioner, achievements recorded in combating crimes were as a result of community engagement and stakeholders’ partnership through information and intelligence sharing.
He said the command looked forward to a more robust relationship with people of the state to make it crime-free.