By Jude Atupulazi
Ten suspected illegal sand miners in Aguleri, Anambra East of Anambra State, have been nabbed and paraded by the enforcement team of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade.
The suspects were apprehended while engaging in illegal sand mining activities in a government-restricted area and were paraded at the OCHA Brigade headquarters in Awka.
While parading the suspects, the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, stated that the area where they were arrested had been sealed off months ago due to the illegal mining activities and dredging that posed serious environmental dangers. He expressed surprise at why some individuals would continue to flout government orders and directives.
Anere said the suspects would be charged to court and warned that all sealed sites must not be trespassed by anyone or any group, as ignorance was no excuse under the law.
According to Anere, a 10 km radius around the restricted area was protected from any sand mining or excavation activities. He regretted the losses the state had incurred from illegal sand mining activities.
The OCHA Brigade MD vowed that illegal sand miners anywhere in the state would not escape the long arm of the law, noting that his office had been strengthened to arrest and prosecute anyone found engaging in illegal activities.
He also stated that the enforcement exercise would continue with routine visits to identified mining sites in other parts of Anambra State.
By Jude Michael
Ten suspected illegal sand miners in Aguleri, Anambra East of Anambra State, have been nabbed and paraded by the enforcement team of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade.
The suspects were apprehended while engaging in illegal sand mining activities in a government-restricted area and were paraded at the OCHA Brigade headquarters in Awka.
While parading the suspects, the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, stated that the area where they were arrested had been sealed off months ago due to the illegal mining activities and dredging that posed serious environmental dangers. He expressed surprise at why some individuals would continue to flout government orders and directives.
Anere said the suspects would be charged to court and warned that all sealed sites must not be trespassed by anyone or any group, as ignorance was no excuse under the law.
According to Anere, a 10 km radius around the restricted area was protected from any sand mining or excavation activities. He regretted the losses the state had incurred from illegal sand mining activities.
The OCHA Brigade MD vowed that illegal sand miners anywhere in the state would not escape the long arm of the law, noting that his office had been strengthened to arrest and prosecute anyone found engaging in illegal activities.
He also stated that the enforcement exercise would continue with routine visits to identified mining sites in other parts of Anambra State.
