NSCDC ARRESTS CHINESE, ONE OTHER FOR ALLEGED ILLEGAL MINING IN ABIA
ROPORTER: LAWRENCE NWOKEDI
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abia State Command, has arrested a Chinese citizen and one other person for allegedly operating a quarry on a site belonging to another firm in Lopaukwu, Umunneochi Loca Government Area.
The suspects are Shen Yong Chan and Edward Hiyk.
Addressing journalists, the Commandant of the Corps, Mr. Usman Alfadarai, said the discovery and arrest of the men followed a complaint filed by the original owner of the site, that Chinese people have occupied his legally assigned site without his consent where they are mining and selling chippings and other stones.
The NSCDC boss insisted that the illegal act would not be condoned in a country where the present administration is serious with revolutionizing the economic sector to make it easy for businesses to flourish.
Mr. Alfadarai noted that the Corps under the directives of its Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, had made significant efforts to stem the tide of all forms of criminalities in the extractive industry.
He assured Abia State residents that he would continue to work tirelessly to avoid breakdown of law and order among operators in the extractive industry.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the Chinese suspect on the matter was unsuccessful as he declined to speak through his legal adviser.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
