NSCDC arrest 1 Chinese, 5 others for illegal mining in Anambra

From Ifeoma Ejiofor

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) Anambra State Command has arrested a Chinese national and five others for illegal mining.

The breakthrough was in collaboration with the Federal Mines Officer, Anambra State.

Commandant Maku Olatunde, the NSCDC State Commandant stated this in Awka on Thursday while parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters Awka.

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 Babajeje (47).

The NSCDC commandant said that the arrest followed a tip- off on their operations at an illegal mining site at Odele Aguleri in Anambra East LGA of the state.

“In our resolute and determination to discharge our statutory mandate in sanitizing 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 5th of December, 2024 at about 11:40 hours for not obtaining 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 2027,” Maku said.

Maku stated that the suspects are presently undergoing investigation, and upon its conclusion, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face possible prosecution.