NSCDC nabs 4 suspected vandals, illegal miners in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspects in Akwa Ibom for various crimes including vandalism.

Two of the suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy and illegal mining, while conveying solid minerals suspected to be iron ore.

The other two suspects were also apprehended for vandalising power transmission lines in Ikot Akpan Okop village, Mkpat Enin local government area.

Commandant Mr. Eluyemi Eluwade stated this while briefing newsmen at the command’s exhibits yard in Uyo, Wednesday.

He stated that the two mining suspects were arrested on August 26 at 1:00 a.m. while transporting 1,200 bags of solid minerals in a truck with registration number TYN 157 XA, hinting that the minerals were mined from Ibeno beach area and were being transported to Port Harcourt.

Eluwade said NSCDC operatives received intelligence on the illegal mining activity and quickly mobilised to the site.

He said their truck was accosted in Eket LGA, where the driver and another person were arrested for failing to provide a mining license and a genuine waybill.

He said: “The other two suspects were arrested on August 25 for vandalising power transmission lines. They confessed to vandalising the lines with the intent to sell them as scrap.”