By Tina Amanda
The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Rivers State, Basil Igwebueze, has paraded 34 suspects for allegedly carrying out illegal mining operations at Rumuokarali/Rumualogu communities in Rivers State.
One suspect was paraded alongside for attempting to have carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters, Port Harcourt, Commandant Basil said the arrests were made possible through credible Intelligence and the collaborative efforts of the patrol team of NSCDC Sold Minerals Unit, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel and Ministerial Task Force on illegal mining who swiftly swung into action to apprehend the suspects while perpetrating the act.
“With the collaborative efforts of our men, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, and the Ministerial Taskforce on illegal mining which includes: EFCC, NSCDC, DSS, Nigeria Police, Immigration Service and Nigerian, the 34 suspects were caught in the act of dredging sharp sands illegally thereby causing environmental degradation in the area and three dredging machines were retrieved at the crime scene.
“In addition, a Chinese man was sighted at the crime scene as information revealed that he is notorious for engaging in illegal mining activities. He escaped through the back gate of a nearby Hotel in Choba, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area.
“While tracing the suspect our personnel heard the cry of a young lady who said her 15-year-old sister had been lured into one of the hotel rooms.
“After a thorough search, our men were able to rescue the 15-year-old girl from the hand of one Mr Daniel Mathew who is now in custody and currently under interrogation”.
The Commandant said thorough investigations would be carried out to ascertain the level of involvement of each suspect in offenses charged, after which diligent prosecution would be carried out in the Court of competent jurisdiction.
He further advised the public to report all acts of criminalities in their terrain to the NSCDC and other security agencies urging that: “If you see something please say something “.
