Headline

Community Alleges NSCDC Providing Aecurity For Illegal Gold Miners Un Edo

Published

4 years ago

December 16, 2021

The people of Dangbala community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo, have alleged that men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) provide security cover for illegal gold miners in the community.

The residents under aegis of Concern Residents of Dangbala, raised the alarm in a statement by Godwin Amusa and Agbaje Saiki, Convener and Secretary respectively.

The residents noted that it has become imperatives to go public on the issue in order to avoid the Zamfara State situation.

They said that not only have the increased competition created tension in the community, but that their activities have become an issue of security threat in the area.

Spokesman of the community, Mr Collins Nicholas, also made similar illegation in an interview with newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

He alleged that officers of the security outfit provides cover for the illegal miners that have just made a return to the mining site after the Edo Government had placed embargo on the site earlier in the year.

Nicholas said the miners who work both in the day and night, are able to carry out their illegal activities because they have the full protection of the NSCDC.

Similarly, Nicholas appealed to the concern authority to check activities of these illegal miners before it snowball into what Zamfara State is presently experiencing.

He said angered by the action of the NSCDC some youths who attempted to stop the illegal miners from carrying out their illegal activities against the state government order were mercilessly beaten and injured.

“On the 13th of August, the same illegal miners arrested by Civil defense were released.

“At a meeting held in the community, we were shocked to see them jubilating that Civil Defense has declared Dangbala bush open and as I speak all kind of people are working there freely without the approval of Edo state government.

” When the kindred that owns the place went to find out what was happening they were attacked and the matter is pending at Igarra Area Command. We have written several petition on this.”

Meanwhile, the State Command of the NSCDC have denied the allgation and noted that the mining site was still not opened for any activities since its closure by the state government.

Spokesman of the command, Mr Efosa Ugbebor, said that the place was still been guided by its officers since its closure.

“It is not true that our officers are providing cover for illegal miners in Dangbala. Infact, there is no mining activity in that area as we speak.

“Few days ago, precisely on Tuesday, the Command sent anti-vandal and solid mineral team of the NSCDC to the area but they found noting happening there.

“To clear any doubt, we have asked the community people to immediately report to our office should they see anything of such. Perhaps, they can provide any evidence of they have any for us to act on,” he stated.

Recall that residents of the community had on Tuesday raised the alarm over the return of activities of illegal gold miners.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.