Three Terrorists Killed As Troops Nab 27 Illegal Miners In FCT

Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended no fewer than 27 suspected illegal miners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neutralised three terrorists during sustained security operations conducted across the country in the last 24 hours.

According to Vanguard, a military source disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and tighten security nationwide.

According to the source, troops of the 7 Guards Battalion, operating under Operation MESA, carried out a raid on an illegal mining site located at Iddah, near the Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

During the operation, the soldiers reportedly overran the site, arrested 27 suspects and destroyed makeshift camps believed to have been used by the illegal miners.

The military source said items recovered from the site included a Dane gun, four motorcycles and assorted mining equipment used for illegal extraction activities.

The destruction of the camps, the source explained, was to prevent the return of the suspects and to disrupt further illegal mining activities in the area.

Naija News reports that as part of efforts to consolidate gains from the operation, troops were also deployed to strategic points along the Bwari-Ushafa-Dutse axis, where roadblocks were mounted to enhance security and restrict the movement of criminal elements.

The source noted that the presence of troops along the route has increased patrol visibility and improved response capability in the area.

In a related development, the military disclosed that three terrorists were neutralised during coordinated offensive and response operations conducted in different theatres of operation.

According to the source, the neutralisation occurred as troops sustained pressure on terrorist and criminal groups, preventing them from regrouping or launching attacks.

The source added that the Nigerian Army remains committed to maintaining relentless operations against illegal mining, terrorism and other forms of criminality, assuring residents of continued efforts to safeguard lives and property.