NSCDC ARRESTS TWO SUSPECTED ILLEGAL MINERS IN ANAMBRA

REPORTER: KEVIN EKEDIEGWU

Operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in illegal mining.

They have also impounded 40 ton truck loaded with Kaolin in the state worths N20,204,400.00.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Edwin Okadigbo, in a statement, said the operatives acting on credible Intelligence, trailed and arrested the two suspects for engaging in illegal mining activities in the state.

He gave the names of the suspects as, Akpuchukwu Madueke (53yrs) from Awomama in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State and Chimezie Ezenduka (54yrs) of No 4 All Mekus Drive Federal Housing, Onitsha.

The statement explained that the suspects were apprehended at Igbariam conveying the Kaolin without relevant permit.

It said preliminary investigations showed that the forty ton truck with no registration number was loaded with six hundred bags of Kaolin and covered with tarpaulin to disguise as cement consignment.

The statement noted that the mineral was escavated at a sealed site around Nando and being transported outside the state without waybill or license permitting the suspects to deal in mining.

The statement said the Commandant of NSCDC, in the State, Mr. Olatunde Maku, while parading the suspects at the state Headquarters Awka, commended the Command’s Mining Marshal Squad led by Mr. Osita Agunwa for acting on the strength of the information to apprehend the economic saboteurs.

One of the suspects, who pleaded for mercy, in a confessional statement, Mr. Madueke Akpuchukwu, admitted to being in the business of transporting Kaolin to needed companies for eight years without any certification as a licensed miner.

The statement ended with a threat that tht suspects would be arraigned in court at the end of investigation.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU