The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has sealed two suspected illegal mining sites in the state as part of efforts to protect mineral resources and curb environmental degradation.
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 and the Anambra State Federal Mines Office of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development following intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to the NSCDC, investigations showed that operators at the sites allegedly lacked valid documentation authorising their mining activities.
During the raid at the Atani site, which was identified as an illegal sharp-sand mining location, suspected operators reportedly fled into nearby bushes after sighting the enforcement team. Authorities recovered a long shovel, two 25-litre containers of gasoline, an excavator battery and four litres of power steering oil.
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The enforcement team subsequently moved to Iyienu, Ogidi, where another site reportedly involved in laterite and sandstone mining was sealed. Items recovered there included four shovels, two sledgehammers, a cutlass, three rakes, four hand hammers, two chisels and a small sieve.
The NSCDC said enforcement operations would continue across Anambra State, warning illegal miners that escaping during raids would not prevent their eventual arrest and prosecution.
The Corps also expressed concern over the environmental and infrastructural consequences of illegal mining, including land degradation and increased erosion risks.
The Anambra State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, commended the joint enforcement team, stressing the need to protect the state’s natural resources, communities and public infrastructure from the harmful effects of unregulated mining activities.
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