The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria has conducted a major crackdown operation on illegal miners in the State, arresting three suspects and sealed-off a site.
The operation led by the State Commandant of the Corps, Francis Nnadi was carried out at a mining site located in a remote local community, Mgbo Ekka in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Three suspects; Udoka Obaji, Nwainya Azubuike and Monday Nweke, now in the NSCDC custody at the Command headquarters in Abakaliki, are being accused of operating an illegal mining site without licences.
Nnadi told Journalists at the scene, that the activities of the suspects were of economic sabotage, threat to security and constitute environmental hazard.
Also arrested during the operation were suspected public assets vandals, while Oge Dandy Chinweoke was nabbed for citing a Gas plant in a densely populated business area.
The Ebonyi State NSCDC Commandant frowned at the location of such highly inflammable Liquidfied Petroleum Gas, LPG business without recourse to safety measures.
At the Command Headquarters, some suspects said to be involved in public assets vandalism were paraded before the Press.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie
