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Four arrested in A’Ibom for illegal mining, power line vandalism

Published

3 weeks ago

August 28, 2024

Four arrested in A’Ibom for illegal mining, power line vandalism

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State have arrested four individuals for their involvement in illegal activities, including criminal conspiracy, illegal mining, and vandalism of critical infrastructure.

The State Commandant, Mr. Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this while addressing the press at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo on Wednesday.

Eluwade detailed that two suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Monday while illegally transporting 1,200 bags of solid minerals, suspected to be iron ore, from the Ibeno beach area to Port Harcourt.

The suspects were caught in a long open truck with Registration No: TYN 157 XA in Eket LGA, following an intelligence report that led NSCDC operatives to intercept the vehicle. The arrested individuals failed to present a valid mining license or a genuine waybill, prompting their detention.

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In addition, two other suspects were arrested by NSCDC anti-vandal operatives on Sunday for vandalizing power transmission lines in Ikot Akpan Okop village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. The suspects confessed to dismantling the transmission lines with the intent to sell them as scrap.

Eluwade condemned the vandalism of public utilities, including power cables, telecommunication installations, oil pipelines, and street lights, labeling these acts as severe offenses that disrupt community services and constitute economic sabotage. He emphasized the need for youths to engage in legitimate livelihoods rather than resorting to crimes that deprive the government of vital revenue needed for developmental projects.

The commandant reiterated NSCDC’s commitment to curbing such illegal activities and assured the public that all suspects will face prosecution once investigations are concluded. He urged communities to collaborate with the NSCDC in safeguarding public infrastructure, underscoring that these assets are meant to serve everyone.

Eluwade also highlighted the broader implications of illegal mining, stressing that it is not only an environmental hazard but also an economic crime that robs the state of crucial resources. He called on the youth to seek lawful employment and contribute positively to the economic development of their communities, state, and nation.

Four arrested in A’Ibom for illegal mining, power line vandalism

Related Topics:illegal mining NSCDC Vandalism

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Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Shawulu Dan-Mammam,Commissioner of Police, Niger State

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

In a tragic turn of events, kidnappers who abducted a hotel owner, his manager, and a guest in Gauraka community, Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State, have executed their captives despite receiving a ransom of N25 million.

The incident, which occurred early on August 17, 2024, has also claimed the lives of two local vigilantes, Abubakar Muhammad and Ibrahim Garba, who were killed while delivering the ransom.

According to reports from City & Crime, the bodies of the victims were found in the Dogon-Daji Forest, a border area between Kaduna, Niger State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They were subsequently transported to an air force base near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Hussaini Abubakar, the commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Tafa, confirmed that the remains of the vigilantes were buried on Saturday following military clearance.

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Additionally, a man previously abducted from the community about a month ago was rescued with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at an army medical facility in Abuja.

The abduction began around 1 am when the kidnappers raided the hotel, forcibly taking all the lodgers. Witnesses reported that the bandits fired shots while leaving, drawing attention to the crime. Despite the presence of a security hunter nearby, the individual fled upon seeing the attackers.

Community residents have expressed growing frustration over the escalating attacks, noting that the bandits frequently operate in nearby forests and along major roads, including the Ijah-Koro and Ijah-Gwari roads leading to Bwari town in the FCT.

Gauraka has experienced at least five kidnapping incidents in the past four months, underscoring the urgent need for increased security measures in the area.

Kidnappers kill hotel owner, manager, guest after collecting N25m ransom

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Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in Ibieno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC announced the arrests on Sunday, stating that its Special Task Force on Illegal Mining, operating in Uyo, carried out the operation based on credible intelligence regarding illicit mining activities conducted by foreign companies in Eket and Ibieno LGAs.

This development underscores the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to clamp down on illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation by foreign entities.

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The agency’s vigilance in addressing illegal operations continues to support the country’s broader fight against environmental degradation and economic sabotage.

“The five arrested Chinese suspects are Zhon Qinping, apprehended on 10 September, and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, arrested on 29 August.

“They were arrested at an illegal mining site, where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.

“The suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded,” EFCC said.

Five Chinese arrested in Akwa Ibom for illegal mining

(NAN)

metro

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

Published

6 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Umar Shehu

Katsina community corps arrests suspect supplying hard drugs to bandits

The Katsina Community Watch Corps (CWC) has apprehended Umar Shehu on allegations of supplying illegal injections and drugs to bandits involved in kidnappings in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The arrest was reported by Bakatsine, a security expert and Conflict and Crisis Journalist in the Northwest region, via a post on X.

Accompanying the post was a video showing a significant quantity of syringes and Umar Shehu’s confession to his involvement in the illegal activities.

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“GOOD NEWS: The Katsina Community Watch Corp (CWC) in Ɗandume Local Government Area has successfully apprehended a man named Umar Shehu, who was involved in trafficking illegal injections and drugs to supply to bandits engaged in kidnappings in Sabuwa LGA all in Katsina State,” the post reads.

“The security team gathered crucial information from Umar and others, but only Umar’s information appeared in the video while others were not recorded for security reasons, according to an insider.”