The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested four suspects involved in illegal mining activities in the state.
Parading the suspects on Friday in Awka, the NSCDC commandant in the state, Olatunde Maku, said they were arrested on Thursday at Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area.
According to Maku, the arrest was in collaboration with the Federal Mines Officers of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in charge of Anambra.
Those arrested were identified as Nnamani Chidubem, Ekemezie Ifeanyi, Okolie Patrick, and Onyedika Somtoo.
โThese suspects were caught mining laterite without approval from the relevant authorities, causing environmental degradation in the area.
โExhibits recovered from the suspects include a truckload of Laterite, with registration number LAGOS T-13038 LA, nine heavy-duty batteries, one heavy-duty hydraulic jack and four fuel filters.
โThis arrest is an indication and a strong signal to those illegal miners that it is no longer business as usual,โ he added
The NSCDC commandant said that illegal mining constituted economic sabotage and posed environmental risks in the state.
Also speaking, Mr Henry Bolarinwa of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development urged miners to operate with valid licences and at approved mining sites.
Bolarinwa said that the warning was necessary to block revenue leakages and prevent environmental hazards associated with illegal mining activities.