The Anambra State Government has arrested Osita Chukwuma of Blessed Egbogu Motors Limited and sealed the company’s illegal mining site in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area, for allegedly disregarding directives issued by the Anambra State Mining Reform Committee.
Chukwuma was arrested alongside six other persons, including Samuel Igweka, Ifeanyi Daniel, Uchenna Umeaba and Okeke Sopuluchukwu, who were identified as drivers of tipper trucks, as well as Chikaodili Okonkwo, a conductor, and Amaka Uba, a sales representative.
The arrests followed a “save our soul” report by residents of Umudimisii, Umuoru Village, Uga, who alerted the state government to ongoing illegal mining activities in the area.
According to the residents, the activities had placed the community at serious risk of gully erosion, mass failure and building collapse, with previous incidents reportedly resulting in loss of lives.
Speaking during the enforcement operation, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Anambra State Mining Reform Committee, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, frowned at the activities of illegal miners.
Prof. Ofoegbu directed the company to restore the affected site and re-establish its green vegetation, warning that any attempt to reopen the site would attract prosecution.
He said the state government’s efforts to reform the mining sector would be intensified through collaboration among the Mining Reform Committee and the Ministries of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Environment, and Physical Planning.
The Commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforcing regulations guiding sustainable mining and ensuring that mining activities do not cause avoidable damage to the environment.
