Troops of the 177 Guards Battalion have arrested five suspected illegal miners and recovered explosives and other mining equipment during an operation in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

This was disclosed in a post on X on Tuesday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in Lake Chad region.

Zagazola stated that the suspects were arrested at about 12:00 p.m. on June 1 during a long-range patrol conducted by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base, FOBm Tattara and Patrol Base Zango under Operation MESA.

He said that the operation targeted an illegal mining site located at Tattara community in Karu LGA, where the suspects were allegedly engaged in unauthorized mining activities.

According to him, the troops recovered seven explosive devices, one detonating cord, detonators, a pumping machine, a generator and three motorcycles during the operation, adding that the recovered explosives and equipment were believed to have been used in mining operations at the site.

The suspects were arrested at the illegal mining location and are currently in military custody alongside the recovered items pending further investigation,” he said.

The security expert further revealed that the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities, which authorities say pose security, environmental and economic risks to host communities and the nation.

“Investigations are ongoing, while the suspects are expected to be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action upon the conclusion of preliminary inquiries,” he added.