NSCDC arrests illegal miners, Seals Site and Gas Plant In Ebonyi State.

The Ebonyi State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested illegal miners for illegally mining and operating a gas plant without licence.
The arrest led by the State Commandant of the corps, Francis Chika Nnadi, witnessed the sealing of the illegal mining site at Eka, in Ezza North council area and a 228 tons micro gas plant located at 135, Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu local Government area of the state.
Addressing journalists at the illegal lead and zinc mining site, Commandant Nnadi said his command acted on a tip-off and arrested the miners who got the land on lease and has been operating without requisite license.
The Commandant lamented the huge economic sabotage as mining is supposed to be a veritable source of revenue for states and federal government, stressing that they would no longer stand-by and watch the economic waste.
“May I use this opportunity to warn all illegal miners in Ebonyi State to steer clear because I’ve come out to enforce, along with other security agencies, and nip it in the bud. I’ll not allow people to keep trapping from it illegally”
Commandant Nnadi harped on the environmental hazard posed by the operation of the site at a residential area, stressing that extant laws prohibit the act.
On the gas plant, Commandant Nnadi frowned at the siting of the highly inflammable BLUE FLAME LPG gas plant at a densely populated area.
“You can see children playing around. There is also a church beside this gas plant. We need to let the general public know about the hazardous nature of this business. There are no requisite documents to permit this kind of business in such an environment.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn Ebonyi people against such practices. Remember what happened in Los Angeles with the wildfire. This is more hazardous than that wildfire. This could engulf the whole community. The suspect is with us and will appear in court,” Nnadi said.
One of the suspects, Oge Dandy, said he did not know the gas plant was situated in a residential area. According to him, he is based in Plateau State and gave someone money to establish the plant for him.
He expressed surprise at discovering the plant’s location when he returned home last Christmas and admitted that he faulted by not obtaining approval for the gas plant before it was established.
Meanwhile, the suspects will be arraigned in court after further investigation.