THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, says it has arrested two suspects for criminal conspiracy and illegal mining, and conveyance of solid minerals suspected to be Iron ore in in Akwa Ibom.
The Corps also said it apprehended two other persons for allegedly vandalizing power transmission lines in Ikot Akpan Okop village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State command, Friday Ekerete and made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo.
The statement reads, “The Akwa Ibom State Command of NSCDC has arrested two suspects for criminal conspiracy and illegal mining/conveyance of solid minerals suspected to be Iron ore in Eket Local Government Area.
“The two suspects: Godwin Ben Peter ‘M’ 39years and Samuel Nse Okon ‘M’ 28years were arrested by NSCDC operatives at about 1am in the morning of 26th August, 2024 while conveying 1200 bags of the solid minerals in a long open truck with Registration No: TYN 157 XA.
“The mineral resource was mined from Ibeno beach area and was being transported to Port Harcourt. NSCDC operatives received intelligence on the illegal mining activity and quickly mobilized at midnight of 25th August, 2024 towards the mining site.
“The truck was accosted at Eket LGA, where the driver and one other person were arrested for failure to provide mining license and a genuine waybill for the mineral resource being transported.
“In another operation, two suspects were arrested by Anti-vandal operatives of the command on Sunday, 25th August, 2024 for vandalizing power transmission lines in Ikot Akpan Okop village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area
“The suspects, Uma Friday James (27) ‘M’ and Ekpedeme Samuel Robinson (25) ‘M’ confessed to vandalizing the transmission lines with intent to sell them as scrap.
According to the statement, the NSCDC state commandant Mr Eluwade Eluyemi, while
parading the suspects and exhibits frowned at the vandalization of power cables, telecommunication installations, oil pipelines, s and other public utilities.
Eluwade equally frowned at illegal mining of mineral resources, describing it as an act of economic sabotage that deprives the three tiers of government the needed revenue to carry out its programme.
He reiterated the commitment of the corps to fighting these crimes, and urged the youths to seek legitimate endeavours that would contribute to the advancement of the society.
“It is quite unfortunate that some of our youths still engage in the barbaric act of vandalizing 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 infrastructures that is sited within their communities as they are meant to serve all of us. All suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded” the statement added