The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have commenced a joint security operation to rid Rivers State of the activities of illegal sand miners.

In one of the operations led by the patrol team of NSCDC Sold Minerals Unit, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel and Ministerial Task Force on illegal mining 34 suspects were apprehended at Rumuokarali/ Rumualogu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

The Rivers State Commandant of the corps, Basil Igwebueze, who confirmed the development in a statement signed by the Rivers NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Ayodele, paraded the suspects in Port Harcourt.

He said while conducting the operation, the NSCDC operatives also nabbed one Daniel Mathew for luring a 15-year-old girl to a Hotel in China, near Port Harcourt and tried to defile her.

Igwebueze said during the raid, a Chinese notorious for illegal sand dredging escaped the scene through the back gate of a hotel adding that the arrest was made possible through credible intelligence.

Igwebueze said that the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) were part of the operation.

He said: “With the collaborative efforts of our men, the Federal Ministry of mines and steel and the Ministerial Task Force on illegal Mining comprising the EFCC, NSCDC, DSS, Nigeria Police, Immigration Service, and Nigerian, the 34 suspects were caught in the act of dredging sharp sands illegally thereby causing environmental degradation in the area and three dredging machines were retrieved at the crime scene.

“In addition, a Chinese man was sighted at the scene of the crime as information revealed that he is notorious for engaging in illegal mining activities.

“He, however, escaped through the back gate of a nearby Hotel in Choba, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area.

“While tracing the suspect our personnel heard the cry of a young lady who said her sister aged 15 had been lured into one of the hotel rooms.

“After a thorough search, our men were able to rescue the 15-year-old girl from the hand of one Mr. Daniel Mathew who is now in custody and currently under interrogation”.

The State Commandant said thorough investigations would be carried out to ascertain the level of involvement of each suspect, after which they would be charged to Court.

Igwebueze advised members of the public to report all acts of criminality or suspicious movement in their neighborhood to the NSCDC and other security agencies for prompt action.

The commandant assured residents that any information volunteered would be treated with utmost confidentiality, saying, “If you see something please say something.” (The Nation)

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