(The arrested suspects. Photo Credit: NSCDC)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Anambra State has arrested three men for illegally mining sand from Obiaja River along the Nnobi-Ideani junction in Idemili South.
The raid happened on Wednesday afternoon at the river site.
The three suspects are Patrick Anpue, 45, Chidubem Ugammadu, 44, and Chukwuma Igwe, 47.
They were caught by NSCDC officers working with federal mining officials acting on a tip-off.
The men confessed that they were mining sand without permission or proper licenses from the government.
Officials recovered two trucks, six shovels and a wheelbarrow that they had been using to dig and load the sand.
The State Commandant said the operation shows the corps is serious about stopping unregulated mining in the state and protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources from people without licenses.
He noted that the suspects will face court charges once investigations wrap up.
He warned others involved in illegal sand mining to stop immediately or face legal consequences.
He also called on members of the public to report suspected illegal mining activities to the NSCDC so the agency can take action.
(One of the recovered tippers. Photo Credit: NSCDC)
