Chinese National, Five Others Arrested for Illegal Mining in Anambra

• The arrests followed a tip-off about unlicensed mining operations at Odele Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area
  

  ---

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

The suspects, including a Chinese national identified as “Babajeje” (47), were paraded at the NSCDC headquarters in Awka on Thursday. The arrests followed a tip-off about unlicensed mining operations at Odele Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area.

The NSCDC spokesperson, Edwin Okadigbo, said the suspects violated the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act by operating without licences and failing to pay required fees to state and federal governments.

Henry Bolarinwa, the Federal Mines Officer for Anambra State, urged the public to verify mining licences and royalty payments to curb revenue losses and environmental hazards.

The suspects are under investigation and will face prosecution upon its conclusion, the NSCDC stated.