The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, has arrested two suspects for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities in the state.
While parading the suspects on Wednesday in Awka, the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Olatunde Maku, said the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following credible intelligence.
Maku said his team arrested Madueke Akpuchukwu, 53, from Awomama in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State and Chimezie Ezenduka, 54, of No 4 Mekus Drive Federal Housing, Onitsha.
According to him, the suspects were arrested at Igbariam while conveying suspected 600 bags of solid mineral (Kaolin) without a relevant permit.
“Preliminary investigations showed that a 40-ton truck, with no registration number, was loaded with 600 bags of Kaolin and covered with tarpaulin to disguise as cement consignment.
“The solid minerals, valued at N20,204,400, were excavated around a sealed site at Nando in Anambra East Local Government Area and being transported outside the state without waybill or licence,” he said.
Maku said illegal mining had been prohibited in Anambra under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to block revenue leakage.
He added that the NSCDC will continue to check the activities of illegal mining across the state.