The Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force, led by Superintendent of Police, Jamu Emmanuel, has arrested 20 suspected illegal miners in Taraba state as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining activities across the state.

According to the Task Force, the suspects were apprehended on Satuday following credible intelligence while they were en route to an illegal mining site within the state.

Preliminary investigations, as made known by the team, indicated that the suspects are natives of Zamfara State who allegedly traveled to Taraba to engage in unauthorized mining operations.

Confirming the development, Jamu Emmanuel said the suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to the Taraba State police command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

 He added that items recovered from the suspects are being documented as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Task Force Commander reaffirmed the commitment of security operatives to eliminating illegal mining activities in the state, warning that anyone found engaging in such unlawful acts would face the full weight of the law.

He also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to protect the state’s natural resources and maintain law and order.

The Ogun State Police Command have arrested 16 suspects, and recovered stolen vehicles, illegal petroleum products, and vandalized telecom equipment under its “Operation KOSAYE”.

The breakthroughs, recorded between July 12 and July 21, 2026, cut across diesel bunkering, infrastructure vandalism, burglary, defilement, and hijacking.

The suspects are Kabiru Afolabi, 51, Nnabike Uzolo, 26, Chino Mgbenya, 28, Hammed Olanrewaju, Emmanuel Victor, Mathew Mark, 20, Sodiq Raji, 32, Zubby Nzube, 28, Adeyemi Omoyajuowo,30, and Chimezie Iwuanya, 35.

Others are Saliu Akinwande, 50, Ayomide Odufuwa, 27, Adura Adebanjo, 26, Samuel Sunday, 25, Bashiru and Muhammed.

Confirming the arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, on Saturday said, the operations were carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, in line with the IGP’s intelligence-led policing agenda.

Babaseyi disclosed that on 21st July, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, Unit busted a suspected diesel bunkering syndicate, at Abule-Iroko, Sango, leading to the arrest of one, Kabiru Afolabi, 51.

He noted that four drums of suspected Automotive Gas Oil, thirteen 25-litre jerry cans containing suspected diesel, one pumping machine, and one generator allegedly used in the illegal operation were recovered.

The system reads, “The operations resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects for offences bordering on suspected illegal petroleum product dealings, vandalism of critical national infrastructure, burglary, house-breaking, theft, receiving stolen property, and defilement.

“On 12th July, 2026, at about 0700hrs, detectives attached to the Ota Division acted on credible intelligence received from a member of the public that two suspects were allegedly vandalising a telecommunications mast cable at Ten Ten Street, Mine, Ota.

“The detectives swiftly mobilised to the scene and arrested Nnabike Uzolo ‘M’, aged 26 years, and Chino Mgbenya ‘M’, aged 28 years, a commercial motorcyclist, in connection with the incident.

“On 21st July, 2026, at about 1900hrs, detectives attached to the Idanyin Division responded to a report of burglary at a commercial establishment. Swift investigation led to the arrest of Hammed Olanrewaju ‘M’ and Emmanuel Victor ‘M’, while part of the stolen property was recovered from the receiver’s shop.

“Following a report received on 3rd July, 2026, at about 1330hrs, concerning the theft of a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, detectives attached to the Ajuwon Division carried out a painstaking investigation, which culminated in the arrest of Mathew Mark ‘M’, aged 20 years, and the successful recovery of the stolen motorcycle.

“Following the investigation of a house-breaking incident reported on 5th July, 2026, forensic tracking of one of the stolen mobile phones led detectives attached to the Agbado Division to Sodiq Raji ‘M’, aged 32 years, whose arrest further led to the apprehension of Zubby Nzube ‘M’, aged 28 years, Adeyemi Omoyajuowo ‘M’, aged 30 years, and Chimezie Iwuanya ‘M’, aged 35 years.

“On 21st July, 2026, at about 2030hrs, detectives attached to the Agbado Division arrested Saliu Akinwande ‘M’, aged 50 years over allegations of defiling an 11-year-old girl. The victim was immediately taken for medical examination and treatment, while the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“On 19th July, 2026, at about 0430hrs, operatives attached to the Ijebu Imushin Division swiftly responded to information that armed hoodlums had hijacked a mini truck conveying aluminium doors and window frames along the Benin/Ore Expressway.

“On sighting the Police, the hoodlums abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby forest. The truck was successfully recovered and released to its owner, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“On 21st July, 2026, at about 1145hrs, operatives attached to the Atan Ijebu Division recovered an abandoned bus following credible information received from members of the public. The vehicle has been removed to the station for safekeeping pending identification and contact of the rightful owner.

“In separate operations carried out between 13th and 21st July, 2026, detectives attached to the Atan Ijebu Division arrested Ayomide Odufuwa ‘M’, aged 27 years; Adura Adebanjo ‘F’, aged 26 years; Samuel Sunday ‘M’, aged 25 years; Bashiru ‘M’; and Muhammed ‘M’ in connection with separate burglary and house-breaking incidents.

Babaseyi said investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicates, while some suspects have already been charged to court.

CP Ojajuni commended the officers for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining Operation KOSAYE through intelligence, patrols and community partnership.

Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has arrested 46 suspected offenders during a coordinated enforcement operation aimed at tackling criminal activities across parts of the state.

The exercise, which commenced at about 9 a.m. on Friday, covered strategic locations on Lagos Island, Victoria Island and the Lekki corridor.

The agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday.

According to him, the operation extended to Muri-Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Obalende Underbridge, Law School Junction, Maroko, Sandfill near Mobil Bus Stop and Marwa Bus Stop, where the suspects were apprehended.

Gbadeyan said the raid formed part of the agency’s sustained campaign to rid the state of street urchins, miscreants, drug addicts and other individuals suspected of engaging in criminal activities.

He added that enforcement officers also targeted suspected drug peddlers, illegal commercial motorcyclists, street traders and ticket touts operating unlawfully.

The spokesperson disclosed that 46 suspects were arrested during the exercise, while exhibits recovered included substances suspected to be Indian hemp, Colorado and cannabis.

He further revealed that officers recovered a cutlass and a locally made Dane gun from the suspects.

According to Gbadeyan, calm was restored in all the locations visited by the enforcement team following the operation.

He said the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, reiterated the agency’s determination to ensure that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere in Lagos State.

Akerele, according to the statement, assured residents that similar enforcement operations would continue across the state to enhance public safety and maintain law and order.

The spokesperson added that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, as well as the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.