A Chinese national and five other suspects were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, in collaboration with the Federal Mines Officer in the state, for illegal mining activities in the state.
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The Head, Media and Tactical Ops of the Command, SC Edwin Okadigbo, disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday.
Okadigbo stated that the NSCDC state commandant, Olatunde Maku, paraded the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Awka, on Thursday.
He listed their names as Udoka Nwankwo, male (25); Amaka Samuel, female (18); Onyi Ijeoma, female (45); Chimezie Aniefuna male, (25); Chinaza Omrba, female, (18) and the Chinese national identified simply as “Babajeje” (47).
The statement read in part, “The arrest followed a tip-off on their operations at an illegal mining site at Odele Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area.
“In our resolute determination to discharge our statutory mandate in sanitising the mining sector in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, we cracked down on these illegal miners siphoning the nation’s resources, causing revenue losses to the Federal Government.
“These suspected illegal miners were apprehended on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at about 11:40 hours for not obtaining a licence that permits them to operate, mining without paying surface rents and haulage fees to the state government, and royalties to the coffers of the Federal Government contrary to Section 33 of Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act.
“The suspects are presently undergoing investigation and upon its conclusion, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face possible prosecution.”
Highlighting the importance of synergy between the NSCDC and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, the Federal Mines Officer of the state, Henry Bolarinwa, also emphasised that obtaining a valid licence from the ministry and seeking proper guidance were crucial for anyone interested in mining.
Bolarinwa warned the public to request evidence of licences from mining site owners and proof of royalty payments to the government.
He stressed that the warning was necessary to prevent revenue losses and environmental hazards associated with illegal mining activities.
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