Chinese National And Five Others Arrested In Anambra For Illegal Mining

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in collaboration with the Federal Mines Office, has arrested six individuals, including a Chinese national, at an unlicensed mining site in Odele Aguleri, located in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Nigeria.

The operation, which took place following a tip-off, underscores the ongoing efforts to regulate the mining sector and curb revenue losses to the Federal Government.

The suspects, identified as Udoka Nwankwo (25), Amaka Samuel (18), Onyi Ijeoma (45), Chimezie Aniefuna (25), Chinaza Omrba (18), and the Chinese national known as "Babajeje" (47), were apprehended for engaging in mining activities without valid licenses.

They also faced charges for failing to pay surface rents and haulage fees to the state government, as well as evading royalties due to the Federal Government, actions that contravene Section 33 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.

SC Edwin Okadigbo, the spokesperson for the NSCDC Anambra State Command, stated, "The arrests are part of our concerted efforts to sanitize the mining sector and ensure compliance with the law."

He further emphasized the importance of such operations in safeguarding the nation's economic interests.

Olatunde Maku, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, reiterated the agency's commitment to tackling illegal mining, describing it as "a significant threat to the nation’s economy."