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Trouble looms for illegal miners as Senate mulls specialized security outfit

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From Lateef Taiwo

Nemesis awaits bandits and illegal miners as Senate Thursday passed for second reading , a bill seeking for establishment of special security outfit for prevention of illegal mining activities in the country .

The Specialized security outfit as proposed in the bill sponsored by Senator Mohammed Onawo ( APC Nasarawa South) is Nigerian Mine Rangers Service ( NMRS) .

Senator Onawo in his lead debate on the bill, said the proposed NMRS when established, would be saddled with the responsibilities of safeguarding mining operations, enforcement of mining / environmental and safety regulations as well as promoting sustainable mining practices in Nigeria .

He specifically explained that the proposed Mine Rangers Service as specialized security outfit , will among others , curb illegal mining across the country , rescue trapped miners , provide emergency medical care , investigate mining accidents and enforce compliance with mining regulations .

” The proposed piece of legislation has been painstakingly developed and streamlined to curb illegal mining, thereby providing avenues for harnessing the vast mineral resources in Nigeria .

” The bill is bold legislative step geared towards the diversification of our economy by de – emphasising monolithic focus on oil as the main source of the country ‘s revenue “, he said .

Virtually all the Senators who contributed to debate on the bill, described the proposed Mine Rangers Service as welcome development for protecting and securing the various mining sites across the country.

Specifically, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu said the proposed security outfit , will help to stop the yearly loss of $18.9billion by Nigeria to illegal mining .

” The proposed specialized security outfit for protection of mining sites across the country , will it yearly loss of $18.9billion to illegal miners .

” The Mine Rangers Service , as envisioned , will not only curb illegal mining but also combat banditry “, he said .

In his remarks after the passage of the bill for second reading , the Deputy President of the Senate , Senator Barau Jibrin , described the bill as a very good one as far as required protection and regulations enforcement in the mining sector are concerned.

” We need special security arrangement in the mining sector which this bill is proposing .

” It will also help to combat banditry because one of the recently killed notorious bandits, was just a security guard to miners , later turned to miner himself and added banditry to it . He had a lot of mining sites where he carried out illegal mining .

” The proposed law for special security outfit for mining sector is very apt , because it will also help to identify criminals “, he said .

For expeditious consideration and passage , the DSP later mandated the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals to make more legislative inputs into it and report back in two weeks time.

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Crime

3 Egyptians arrested for assault at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital

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The Cross River Police Command has arrested three Egyptian nationals for allegedly assaulting a female security officer at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

The suspects Mohammed Ayan, 24; Mohammed Mohammed, 40; and Ahmed Mohammed, 20 were said to have entered the hospital premises around 12 noon on Monday to hawk household items, an act prohibited within the facility.

Zagazola confirmed from sources that a security officer, Christiana Ada Ewa, 34, attached to the hospital’s surveillance unit, attempted to stop the men from hawking when one of them, Ayan, allegedly assaulted her.

Her colleague, Ethan Ita Ansa, 24, intervened, resulting in a physical altercation between the parties. During the scuffle, Ansa’s uniform was torn and he sustained a finger injury, while Ayan also suffered bruises on his right eyebrow and knees.

Police detectives promptly visited the scene and arrested the suspects. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

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Crime

Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom.

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A Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him ablaze during a domestic dispute at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the tragic incident occurred on Sept. 22, 2025.

The source said the officer, who was also a medical doctor attached to the 6 Battalion Regimental Medical Officer (RMO), had a heated argument with his wife, Mrs. Samson Haruna, which resulted in her dousing him with petrol (PMS) and setting him on fire.

“The officer sustained severe burns and was immediately stabilised at the Military Reference Section (MRS) in the barracks before being evacuated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for further management,” the source said.

The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life.

It was further gathered that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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Crime

Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover firearms and POS machines in Abuja

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally-made pistol and several stolen items in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest followed a complaint lodged by one Kabiru Ahmed of Kasuwan Dare, Gwagwalada, who reported that two men swapped his Moniepoint POS machine on Oct. 1, 2025, at about 2:55 p.m.

Detectives from the Gwagwalada Division swiftly acted on the report and apprehended one Abdul Abdullahi of Kano State, who confessed to being part of a syndicate notorious for POS swapping and robbery within the area.

The suspect named his accomplices as Yusuf Abdul, Mustapha Abba, Faruk, and Abu Chibola, and later led police operatives to their hideout in Angwan Dodo, Gwagwalada.

However, the other suspects escaped through the ceiling and roof of the building towards a nearby river upon sighting the operatives. One female suspect, Rahama Michael was arrested at the scene.

Items recovered include one fabricated locally-made pistol, six POS machines, seven ATM cards, 37 SIM cards, six wristwatches, and one axe.

The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced a full investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate.

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