Ten individuals have been detained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on suspicion of engaging in illicit mining activities at various mining locations in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State.
The State Commandant, Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, stated that the arrest was carried out strictly in accordance with the orders of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to stop the operations of illegal miners in all mining sites throughout the nation, while parading the suspects in Umuahia on Friday.
According to him, the illicit miners’ operations seriously undermine the country’s economy and shouldn’t be permitted to go on.
“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.
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According to the head of the NSCDC in Abia, the Command recently conducted a profile of the mining sites in the region in order to determine which ones were authorized, obtain information about the miners who hold licenses, and ensure that the industry’s best practices are followed globally.
“This arrest today is a strong statement to those illegal miners that it’s no longer business as usual,” he added.
The NSCDC State Commandant reaffirmed that the federal agency was dedicated to a society free from crime and gave the assurance that the suspects who were detained at the mining site at Azumiri Umuezeama in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State would be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction upon completion of investigations.
Shovels, product samples, head pans, and a truck with registration number AAH 631XA were among the items found retrieved from the suspects.
