In a recent crackdown on illegal mining, the Enugu State Government apprehended six individuals and seized seven trucks in Obollo-Afor.
This action was taken in response to alleged breaches of the state’s mining prohibition.
The arrests were made during an inspection of the mining site by Dr. Kingsley Nnaji, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Energy and Solid Minerals, and CSP Ignatius Attah, the Divisional Police Officer of Obollo-Afor.
Report suggests that the state government issued a mining ban on September 15, warning of penalties for any violations.
Following the ban, the government shut down all unauthorized mining sites.
Dr. Nnaji explained that the inspection was prompted by information suggesting that illicit operations were still being carried out at some of the closed sites.
He stated, “The state government is not against genuine investors, but illegal ones that have caused havoc by degrading and polluting streams from which our people fetch their drinking water.”
He further revealed that the offenders had disregarded a court order against illegal mining in the state.
As a result, the state government issued another directive to seize their vehicles and other equipment found at the sites.
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“This was to enable them liaise with the police and the state government to do the necessary things needed for legal mining before the property would be released,” he added.
Dr. Nnaji also clarified that the directive included the arrest of purchasers of coal extracted from illegal sites.
He warned, “If nobody was buying coal illicitly mined, nobody would mine. We are clamping down on illegal miners.”
He cautioned businesses leasing vehicles and equipment against renting to illegal miners, stating that their vehicles would be confiscated if they were caught.
CSP Attah pledged the police’s continued support to the local and state governments in their efforts to eliminate illegal mining in Enugu.
He confirmed that the arrested individuals were taken to the police headquarters in Enugu, where they gave statements and were subsequently detained.
“The vehicles confiscated include four trailers, one payloader Caterpillar, one low bed, and a truck,” the DPO added.