Troops of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME) in Auchi, Edo State, have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners in the Ososo area of Akoko-Edo LGA. The suspects were arrested on March 28, 2026, during a patrol conducted by the troops, acting on credible intelligence. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises in Edo State.
The Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Kennedy Anyanwu, said the suspects were handed over to the Okpella Police Division for further action. The troops reportedly stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance. Captain Anyanwu also revealed that troops of the 4 Brigade, Benin-City, and other security agencies rescued two female kidnapped victims, Odio Momoh, 17, and Sonia Momoh, 23, on March 27, 2026.
The victims were rescued after a joint security team pursued the kidnappers into the bush and trailed them along their withdrawal route. Operatives are reportedly tracking down the fleeing suspects and dismantling their criminal network in the area.
