Security Operatives Arrest Chinese National, Five Others, For Illegal Mining

A Chinese national and five others have been arrested in Anambra State for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.

The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, in collaboration with the Federal Mines Office.

The spokesperson of the NSCDC Command, SC Edwin Okadigbo, who confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday in Awka, the state capital, said that the operation was carried following a tip-off about unauthorised mining activities at a site in Odele Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

Okadigbo named the arrested suspects; 47-year-old Chinese national identified only by an alias, Babajeje; a 25-year-old Udoka Nwankwo; 18-year-old Amaka Samuel; 45-year-old Onyi Ijeoma; 25-year-old Chimezie Aniefuna and 18-year-old Chinaza Omrba.

According to the NSCDC spokesperson, the arrests were part of an ongoing effort to clean up the mining sector and prevent revenue losses to the Nigerian government.

Okadigbo said, “The suspects were arrested for engaging in mining without valid licenses, failing to pay surface rents and haulage fees to the state, and evading royalties due to the Federal Government, in violation of Section 33 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.”

The NSCDC State Commandant, Olatunde Maku, who also spoke on the arrest, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to addressing illegal mining, calling it a serious threat to the country’s economy.

Also, Henry Bolarinwa, the Federal Mines Officer for Anambra, highlighted the importance of miners obtaining proper licenses and adhering to legal processes.

Bolarinwa said, “Illegal mining deprives the government of crucial revenue and causes environmental damage.

“We urge potential miners to request proof of licenses from site operators and ensure that royalty payments are made to the government.”