- The command recently profiled the mining sites in Abia to identify the approved mining sites, got details of licensed miners and enforced compliance to global best practices in the sector.
- These arrests are strong signals to those illegal miners that it’s no longer business as usual
At various mining sites in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has apprehended ten suspected individuala on over alleged involvement in illicit mining activities.
The arrest was carried out strictly in accordance with the orders of Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General of the NSCDC, to stop the operations of illegal miners in all mining sites throughout the nation, stated State Commandant Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, while parading the suspects in Umuahia on Friday.
According to him, allowing the illegal miners’ operations to continue would seriously undermine the country’s economy.
“Beyond the negative consequences of their activities on the nation’s economy, the adverse effects on the environment and residents raise even greater concerns and we are poised to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to checkmate these unwholesome practices,” he said.
The Abia NSCDC boss said the Command recently profiled the mining sites in Abia with a view to identifying the approved mining sites, getting details of licensed miners and enforcing compliance with global best practices in the sector.
“This arrest today is a strong statement to those illegal miners that it’s no longer business as usual,” he added.
He advised stakeholders in the mining sector to ensure that they operate with valid licenses and within approved mining sites, adding that the warning had become necessary to block the revenue losses and prevent environmental hazards associated with illegal mining activities.
The NSCDC State Commandant assured that the suspects who were arrested at the mining site at Azumiri Umuezeama in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State would be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction upon conclusion of investigations, stressing that the federal agency was committed to a crime-free society.
Items recovered from the suspects include one truck with reg no. AAH 631XA, shovels, product samples, and head pans.