Nigeria, Feb. 19 -- Thirty-three suspected illegal miners have been arrested at an unlicensed mining site in Gbakuchi-Kontongba, Paikoro Local Government Area.

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday during an operation conducted by the state Ministry of Mineral Resources, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Forest Hunters Association.

The operation was in enforcement of Governor Mohammed Bago's directive suspending unauthorised mining activities due to security concerns.

The officials also seized mining equipment, including a water pumping machine.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Yunusa Nahauni, decried alleged complicity of local leaders in illegal mining in the state.

Speaking to journalists after t...