The Enugu State Government has arrested six persons and confiscated seven trucks in Obollo-Afor over an alleged violation of its mining ban.
The arrest followed a visit to the mining site by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Solid Minerals, Dr Kingsley Nnaji, and the Divisional Police Officer of Obollo-Afor, CSP Ignatius Attah, on Thursday.
The News Agency Nigeria reports that the Enugu State Government had, on September 15, prohibited mining in the state, warning that infractions of the ban would be sanctioned.
Nnaji said the government sealed all illegal mining sites, few months ago, after the ban.
He said the visit followed a tip-off that illegal activities were still ongoing at some of the sealed sites.
“The state government is not against genuine investors, but illegal ones that have caused havoc by degrading and polluting streams from which our people fetch their drinking water.
“The people violated the court order against illegal mining in the state.
The state government therefore gave another order to confiscate their vehicles and other equipment found at the sites.
SOURCE: PUNCH DAILY NEWSPAPER