By Peter Omopo
The Niger State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in connection with illegal mining and vandalism activities at the Gurara Waterfalls in the state.
The arrests were made by operatives of the Gawu-Babangida Division during an intelligence-led raid on the facility.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects were apprehended on March 22, 2026, at about 5 p.m. while engaging in illegal mining and vandalising parts of the tourist site.
Those arrested include Sahabi Nasiru, Sanusi Dahiru, Nasiru Hamza, Dahiru Umar, Jamilu Dahiru, Nafiu Dahiru, all from the Tsauni area of Gwagwalada, Abuja, and Mohammed Uzaifa of Lambata.
Items recovered from the suspects include two water pump engines, fourteen carpets, six shovels, three diggers, two pipes, and seven head pans.
The police said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The command also disclosed that a similar operation was carried out at the same location on March 17, during which eight suspects were arrested and several tools used for illegal mining were recovered.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public property, noting that operations against illegal mining and vandalism in the state will continue.
