The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has conducted two successful operations aimed at curbing economic sabotage, targeting illegal gold mining in Ondo State and oil theft in Rivers State.
In the first operation, NSCDC Mining Marshals raided an illegal gold mining site within the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, located in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Four individuals were apprehended during the raid while actively engaging in unlawful mining activities within a Government Reserved Area. The suspects, who confessed to operating without the necessary licenses or authorization, have been charged to the Federal High Court in Abuja under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA).
ACC AJ Onoja, the Mining Marshal Commander who led the raid, issued a strong warning to those involved in illegal mining. He emphasized the Federal Government’s determination to enforce the law, urging illegal miners to regularize their operations in compliance with the NNMA. “The big stick will be wielded without hesitation against anyone who flouts the law,” Onoja stated, highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving Nigeria’s mineral resources for lawful use.
In a separate operation, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) uncovered and destroyed a large wooden boat hidden at the Owaza waterfront in Rivers State. The boat, capable of transporting over 200,000 liters of stolen crude oil, was a vital asset for criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of Nigeria’s oil resources.
The destruction of the boat is seen as a significant victory against oil thieves who have long exploited the country’s rich crude reserves, resulting in billions of naira in lost revenue. Authorities stated that the swift action taken by the CG SIS reflects the government’s heightened vigilance and ongoing efforts to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and natural resources from illegal exploitation.
These operations underscore the NSCDC’s resolve to combat economic sabotage and uphold the rule of law across Nigeria.
