The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday sealed an illegal mining site in the Ameka in Ezza South Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi.

Francis Nnadi, the state commandant who led the operations, told journalists in Abakaliki that the action was in line with the corps’ mandate.

“There was a complaint about an illegal mining site located at Ameka in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

“I moved in with my men to condone off the place and the suspects in the illegal mining operation; Messrs Udoka Obaji ’40’, Azubuike Nwinyi ’46’ and Monday Nweke, all from Ameka community are in our custody,” he said.

Mr Nnadi said those engaged in illegal mining were robbing the state and the federal government of legitimate revenue, hence committing economic sabotage.

The NSCDC boss assured that the command would stop at nothing to ensure illegal mining and other criminal economic activities that could rob the state and federal governments of legitimate revenue were stemmed.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn those who are into illegal mining in Ebonyi to stay clear because a new NSCDC has come out to enforce the law and to make sure that economic sabotage is nipped in the bud with other relevant agencies.

“These are places where the state and federal governments generate revenues; we will not allow people to keep tapping from our natural resources illegally,” Mr Nnadi said.

He urged mining and quarry operators to ensure they backed up their activities by obtaining mining licences and relevant documents duly approved by relevant issuing authorities.

Mr Nnadi said the corps also sealed an illegal gas refilling plant in a densely populated residential area at 135 Junction in the Ezzangbo of Ohaukwu LGA.

The commandant said the siting of the gas station was in clear breach of extant laws.

The NSCDC boss said the 2.8 tonnes gas plant was situated in a densely populated residential area, adding that the residents’ lives, safety and property were endangered.

“The suspect has no requisite documentation to permit him to go into this kind of business in this kind of area.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn against engaging in such practices; we should remember the wildfire in Los Angeles in the United States; this is more hazardous than wildfire,” he said.

The NSCDC boss said that the sealing of the illegal mining site and the gas plant would remain in force until the end of the investigation and assured that suspects would soon be arraigned.

(NAN)