NSCDC Seals Illegal Mining Anambra: Two Sites Shut Down

• The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State sealed two illegal mining sites in Atani, Ogbaru LGA, and Iyienu, Idemili North LGA.
• The operations were conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development after intelligence revealed operators lacked valid documentation.
• Suspected illegal miners fled during the raids, abandoning equipment such as shovels, gasoline, an excavator battery, sledge hammers, and chisels.
• NSCDC warned that enforcement actions will continue across Anambra State, and fleeing will not prevent arrest and prosecution.
• The crackdown addresses significant concerns over land degradation, erosion threats, and violations of environmental regulations posing risks to public safety and infrastructure.

This decisive action, part of a broader Anambra illegal mining crackdown, targeted locations in Atani, situated in the Ogbaru Local Government Area, and Iyienu, within the Idemili North Local Government Area.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, recently undertook a significant enforcement operation, resulting in the sealing of two unlicensed mining sites within Anambra State. This decisive action, part of a broader Anambra illegal mining crackdown, targeted locations in Atani, situated in the Ogbaru Local Government Area, and Iyienu, within the Idemili North Local Government Area.

The operation was a collaborative effort, involving the NSCDC's Mines and Solid Minerals Development Unit, led by Assistant Commandant of Corps Ochie Paul, and the Anambra State Federal Mines Officer, Edet Anthony, representing the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. The primary objective of this joint initiative is to safeguard Nigeria's vital mineral resources and to curb the proliferation of illegal mining activities across the state. The Head of Media and Tactical Operations for the NSCDC, Okadigbo Edwin, confirmed these developments in a statement released on a recent Friday, highlighting the ongoing commitment to regulatory compliance in the solid minerals sector.

Intelligence gathering and extensive surveillance preceded the raids, which uncovered that operators at both the laterite/sandstone and sharp sand sites were conducting their activities without the requisite valid documentation. During the enforcement, suspected illegal miners fled into nearby bushes upon sighting the teams, abandoning their equipment. Various items were recovered from both locations before they were officially sealed, marking a clear signal of heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement against unlicensed mining operations in Anambra State.

The enforcement team first descended upon an illegal sharp sand site in Atani, Ogbaru LGA, at approximately 13:04 hours. Here, the Atani Ogbaru mining enforcement led to the recovery of several pieces of equipment, including one long shovel, two 25-litre gallons of gasoline, a large excavator battery, and four litres of power steering oil. These items were cataloged as exhibits from the site.

Later the same day, at around 16:45 hours, the team proceeded to Iyienu, Ogidi, in Idemili North LGA. This location housed an illegal laterite/sandstone mining operation, which was subsequently sealed. The Iyienu Ogidi mining closure resulted in the seizure of four shovels, two sledge hammers, a cutlass, three rakes, four hand hammers, two chisels, and one small sieve, all left behind by the fleeing operators. The coordinated nature of these operations underscores the strategic approach taken by authorities to address the issue of unlicensed mining sites Anambra.

The NSCDC has affirmed that these operations are not isolated incidents but rather part of a continuing campaign across Anambra State. Okadigbo Edwin issued a stern warning to illegal miners, emphasizing that attempting to evade security forces during raids will not shield them from eventual arrest and prosecution. This stance reinforces the government's resolve to enforce mining regulations and ensure compliance throughout the region.

State Commandant Maku Olatunde commended the joint enforcement team for their professionalism and dedication to protecting natural resources, preserving the environment, and safeguarding communities impacted by mining activities. He stressed that the severe land degradation, increased erosion threats, and blatant disregard for environmental regulations, which collectively endanger lives, property, and critical public infrastructure, necessitated such swift and decisive action. The government's commitment to robust Nigeria solid minerals enforcement signals a zero-tolerance policy for activities that undermine the mining sector, degrade the environment, or pose risks to public assets.

This development signals heightened regulatory scrutiny and enforcement against unlicensed mining operations in Anambra State. Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients in the solid minerals sector in Nigeria should ensure their clients' operations are fully licensed and compliant with all relevant regulations to mitigate the risk of site closures, equipment seizure, and potential prosecution.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers