Two suspects have been arrested by Operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Anambra State Command for engaging in illegal mining activities in the State.
State Commandant of NSCDC, Comdt. Maku Olatunde who disclosed this while parading the suspects at the State Headquarters on Wednesday, said they were trailed and arrested on Tuesday, at about 1100hrs following credible intelligence.
He said the suspects, Madueke Akpuchukwu (53) from Awomama town in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State and Chimezie Ezenduka (54) of No 4 All Mekus Drive, Federal Housing, Onitsha were apprehended at Igbariam conveying suspected solid mineral (Kaolin) without relevant permit.
According to the Commandant, preliminary investigations showed that the 40 ton truck with no registration number was loaded with 600 bags of Kaolin and covered with tarpaulin to disguise as cement consignment.
He gave the value of the solid minerals at N20, 204, 400, adding that they were escavated at a sealed site around Nando and being transported outside the state without waybill or license permitting the suspects to deal in mining.
He commended the Command’s Mining Marshal Squad led by ACC Agunwa Osita for acting on the strength of the information to apprehend the economic saboteurs.
Maku however regretted that activities of illegal miners have been depriving the State under the Solution focused administration of Prof Chukwuma Soludo the much-needed revenue to bring the dividend of democracy to Ndi Anambra.
“NSCDC will continue to check the activities of those engaging in illegal mining across the state. It is not going to be business as usual.
“The Corps will be unrelenting in discharging its core mandate of checkmating and flushing out illegal miners from the State.
“They should either relocate from the State or stop immediately before the long hands of the law catches up on them” he said.
While assuring that the suspects would be arraigned after investigations, the NSCDC boss called on residents to report illegal mining activities within their domains and continue to share useful information on anyone involved in unlawful mineral related practices and environmental degradation for prompt response.
One of the suspects, Madueke Akpuchukwu who pleaded for mercy in a confessional statement admitted to being in the business of transporting Kaolin to needed companies for eight years without any certification as a licensed miner.
