A total of 12 suspected illegal miners have been apprehended by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State. Additionally, six trucks that were utilized for these illegal mining operations have been seized by the authorities.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, made this declaration during a press briefing held at the Command headquarters in Uyo on Wednesday. Eluwade revealed that the illegal miners were captured by NSCDC operatives in Abak and Itu Local Government Areas of the state.
He emphasized that the unauthorized mining activities on government properties have had a detrimental impact on the environment, and such activities will no longer be tolerated. Eluwade stated, “To regulate mining operations in the state and ensure only legal miners are permitted to work on mining sites, as well as to ensure that the government receives the proper dues and royalties, we conducted an operation on Tuesday, during which we detained 12 illegal miners and impounded six trucks.”
Eluwade further highlighted that the activities of these illegal miners have caused erosion and flooding in certain areas of the state, underscoring the importance of curbing such practices.