Helmsman of the Plateau State Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commandant Ishaku Musa, has revealed how criminals now use illegal mining sites as their hideouts, warning that his operatives will not spare any criminal arrested at those sites.

Commandant Musa disclosed this on Monday morning at the NSCDC Command Headquarters in Jos, Plateau State.

Musa said: “Obviously, there is a nexus between illegal miners and criminals in the state, because intelligence has revealed that illegal mining sites are being used as hideouts by all manner of criminals. We have also discovered that these sites serve as grounds where the ‘proceeds’ of their crimes are shared.

But in all of this, let me assure the general public that we are on top of the matter. We have commenced, in earnest, our coded operation to ensure that these criminals and their conspirators are caught and prosecuted within the ambit of the law.”

It will be recalled that the Plateau State Government recently suspended all illegal mining activities, following Executive Order 001 signed by the state governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang. The move is aimed at regulating the mining sector and curbing related criminal activities.