The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining activities in Anambra State, sealing two mining sites over alleged violations of regulatory requirements.
The affected sites are located in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area, and Iyienu, Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area.
The operation was conducted jointly by the NSCDC’s Mines and Solid Minerals Development Unit and the Anambra State Federal Mines Office of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
According to the NSCDC, the enforcement action followed intelligence gathering and surveillance which showed that operators at the sites lacked valid documentation authorising their mining activities.
The enforcement team recovered various items from the locations after the suspected miners fled into nearby bushes upon sighting the operatives.
At the Atani site, officials recovered a long shovel, two 25-litre gallons of gasoline, an excavator battery and four litres of power steering oil.
At Iyienu, Ogidi, the team recovered four shovels, two sledge hammers, a cutlass, three rakes, four hand hammers, two chisels and a small sieve before sealing the site.
The NSCDC said the crackdown was necessary to prevent further degradation of the environment and protect communities and public infrastructure from the consequences of unregulated mining.
The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, expressed concern over land degradation and erosion threats associated with illegal mining, warning that such activities could endanger lives and property.
The command also warned illegal miners that abandoning their sites and fleeing during enforcement operations would not protect them from arrest and prosecution.
The NSCDC said similar operations would continue across Anambra State as authorities step up efforts to protect the nation’s mineral resources and ensure compliance with mining regulations.
