The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, in collaboration with the Federal Mines Office, has apprehended six suspects, including a Chinese, over alleged illegal mining activities in the state.

The command?s spokesperson, SC Edwin Okadigbo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the arrests followed a tip-off about the suspects? operations at an unlicensed mining site in Odele Aguleri, the Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, paraded at the command?s headquarters in Awka, were identified as Udoka Nwankwo (25), Amaka Samuel (18), Onyi Ijeoma (45), Chimezie Aniefuna (25), Chinaza Omrba (18), and the Chinese national simply identified as ?Babajeje? (47).

Okadigbo said the arrests were part of efforts to sanitise the mining sector and curb revenue losses to the Federal Government.

?The suspects were apprehended for mining without valid licences, failing to pay surface rents and haulage fees to the state government, and evading royalties due to the Federal Government, in violation of Section 33 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act,? the statement read.

The State Commandant, Olatunde Maku, reiterated the NSCDC?s commitment to tackling illegal mining, describing the practice as a significant threat to the nation?s economy.

In his remarks, the Federal Mines Officer for Anambra, Henry Bolarinwa, emphasized the need for miners to obtain valid licences and follow due process.

He said, ?Illegal mining deprives the government of revenue and causes environmental hazards. We advise prospective miners to request evidence of licenses from mining site operators and ensure royalty payments are made to the government.? (Courtesy, excluding headline, The PUNCH)

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