The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, has apprehended 21 suspected illegal miners in Cross River State. The suspects were arrested on May 11th in Utanga community in the Obanliku local government area of the state.
Samuel Fadeyi, the Commandant of NSCDC in the state, paraded the suspects at the NSCDC headquarters in Calabar on Monday. According to him, the illegal mining activities in the area could trigger security challenges and cause natural disasters in the community.
“Our searchlight was able to identify a place in Utanga community in Obanliku local government area where we raided 21 suspects caught in the act of illegal mining,” he said. “We arrested them together with their implements and tools. The suspects are undergoing investigation, and soon, we will prosecute them.”
Fadeyi also accused some communities of being complicit in illegal mining activities in their area, as they rely on meagre earnings without considering potential risks. He warned that such illegal activities could attract criminal elements, warlords, insecurity and disasters in the area during the digging process.
Mayowa Omosebi, the Federal Mines Officer responsible for the state, revealed that their office had been strategizing on how to apprehend suspects and put an end to illegal mining in the area. He identified insufficient funding as a significant impediment to operating optimally in bursting such illegal sites and making arrests.
“There is no place illegal mining activity is taking place without the consent of the landowners,” he stated. “The license for mining process is straightforward, and we keep advising them to explore the right channels and shun illegality.”
Among the items recovered from the suspects are pumping machines, shovels, diggers, and head-pans. While one of the suspects, Vincent Abien, a Youth Leader of Utanga community claimed that he was unaware that the digging was illegal.
Illegal mining has been prevalent in Nigeria for years, and it has become a significant issue of concern. The activities harm the environment and create hazardous working conditions capable of causing deaths, infrastructure damage and other dangers. Hence, law enforcement agencies have been implored to do more to curb illegal mining in the country.
NAN reported this news.
