Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, yesterday, directed the Mining Marshals to seal an illegal gold mining site in the Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prevent potential environmental hazards.

The directive followed an earlier operation by the marshals on August 16, 2025, which led to the successful recovery and sealing of another illegal mining site around the District 2 Extension Layout in Gwagwalada. Sixteen suspects, arrested during that operation, are set to face prosecution.

In a statement, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that illegal artisanal miners invaded the area after the accidental discovery of a gold vein during the digging of a soakaway pit near a residential property. The most recent incident took place on a farmland behind CKC in Gwagwalada.

He said: “Upon receiving intelligence reports of renewed unlawful mining activity, Dr. Alake promptly ordered the deployment of mining marshals to secure the site.”

Conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the area yesterday, ministry officials, led by the Director of Mines Inspectorate, represented by the Deputy Director, Sunday Okhuoya, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance, disclosing that relevant departments have launched a thorough investigation to unravel the root of the incidents, while recommending measures to prevent a recurrence.

Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps (ACC) John Attah Onoja, confirmed that his team has established a 24-hour surveillance on the affected sites pending the outcome of the government’s ongoing inquiry.