By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Ebonyi State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested some suspected illegal miners and operators of a gas plant without licence.
The operation led by the State Commandant of the corps, Francis Chika Nnadi, witnessed the sealing of the illegal mining site at Eka, in Ezza North council area and a 228 tons micro gas plant located at 135, Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu local Government area of the state.
This was disclosed while addressing journalists at the illegal lead and zinc mining site, the Commandant Nnadi said his command acted on a tip-off and arrested the miners who got the land on lease and had been operating without requisite license.
The Commandant lamented the huge economic sabotage as mining is supposed to be a veritable source of revenue for states and federal government. He stressed that they would no longer stand-by and watch those economic wastages.
He warned all illegal miners in Ebonyi State to steer clear they have the mandate to enforce the law along with other security agencies, and nip it in the bud noting they won’t allow people to keep tapping illegally.
The Commandant harped on the environmental hazard posed by the operation of the site at a residential area, stressing that extant laws prohibit the act.
On the gas plant, Commandant Nnadi frowned at the siting of the highly inflammable BLUE FLAME LPG gas plant at a densely populated area.
One of the suspects, Oge Dandy, said he did not know the gas plant was situated in a residential area. According to him, he is based in Plateau State and gave someone money to establish the plant for him.
He noted that the suspects would be arraigned in court after further investigation.
