3 months ago
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The Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command have arrested two suspects for criminal conspiracy, illegal mining and conveyance of solid minerals suspected to be iron ore in Akwa Ibom.
The operatives also apprehended two other suspects for vandalising power transmission lines in Ikot Akpan Okop village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.
The Commandant of NSCDC in Akwa Ibom, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo on Wednesday.
Eluwade said that the suspects were arrested after an intelligence report.
He disclosed that the two mining suspects were arrested at about 1 am on Monday while conveying 1, 200 bags of solid minerals in a long open truck with Registration No: TYN 157 XA.
He said that the mineral resource was mined from the Ibeno beach area and was being transported to Port Harcourt.
According to him, NSCDC operatives received intelligence on the illegal mining activity and quickly mobilised towards the mining site.
“The truck was accosted at Eket LGA, where the driver and one other person were arrested for failure to provide a mining license and a genuine waybill for the mineral resource being transported”.
Eluwade said that the other two suspects were arrested by anti-vandal operatives on Sunday for vandalising power transmission lines.
He added that the suspects had confessed to vandalising the transmission lines with intent to sell them as scraps.
The commandant condemned the act of vandalism of power cables, telecommunication installations, oil pipelines, street lights and other public utilities as well as the illegal mining of mineral resources in the state.
“It is quite unfortunate that some of our youths still engage in the barbaric act of vandalising public utilities, meant to serve an entire community. This is highly condemnable and punishable by the law.
“We want to urge our youths to join us in protecting all critical infrastructure that is sited within their communities as they are meant to serve all of us,” he said.
Eluwade also frowned at illegal mining of mineral resources, describing it as an act of economic sabotage that could deprive governments of the needed revenue to carry out its programmes.
While reiterating the commitment of the Corps to fighting these crimes to a standstill, the commandant urged youths to seek legitimate means of livelihood, to contribute their quota to the economic development of their communities, state and country, instead of involving in economic sabotage.
He assured Akwa Ibom people that all the suspects will be charged to Court, as soon as investigations are concluded.
