Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have raided an illegal gold mining site and destroyed a large wooden boat used for siphoning crude oil in two separate operations aimed at curbing economic sabotage in the country.

The first operation took place in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where Mining Marshals apprehended four individuals engaged in unlawful gold mining.

The suspects, caught red-handed in the Government Reserved Area, confessed to not having the necessary licenses or authorization to conduct their operations. Following their arrest, the suspects were charged to the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they now face serious legal repercussions under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA).

The Mining Marshal Commander, ACC AJ Onoja, who led the raid, issued a stern warning to those still involved in illegal mining activities. He urged them to regularize their operations in accordance with the NNMA, stressing that the Federal Government’s resolve to enforce the law is unwavering.

“The big stick will be wielded without hesitation against anyone who flouts the law,” Onoja stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving Nigeria’s mineral resources for legitimate and lawful use.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) uncovered and destroyed a large hidden wooden boat used by vandals to transport stolen crude oil at the Owaza waterfront in Rivers State.

The boat, capable of carrying over 200,000 liters of siphoned crude oil, was a critical asset for criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of the nation’s oil resources.

The destruction of the boat is a significant blow to oil thieves who have long exploited Nigeria’s rich crude reserves, costing the country billions in revenue.

According to the authorities, the CG SIS’s swift action reflects the government’s heightened vigilance and its ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and natural resources from illegal exploitation. (Channels TV)

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