The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its efforts against economic sabotage, conducting two significant operations that resulted in the dismantling of an illegal gold mining site and the destruction of a large wooden boat used for siphoning crude oil.
In the first operation, which took place in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, located in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Mining Marshals apprehended four individuals engaged in illegal gold mining. The suspects were caught in the act within the Government Reserved Area and admitted to operating without the necessary licenses or authorisation. They now face serious legal repercussions under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
ACC AJ Onoja, the Mining Marshal Commander who led the raid, issued a stern warning to those involved in illicit mining activities, urging them to comply with the NNMA. He stressed that the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to enforcing the law, stating, “The big stick will be wielded without hesitation against anyone who flouts the law,” underscoring the government’s dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s mineral resources for legitimate use.
In a separate operation, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) uncovered and destroyed a concealed wooden boat used by criminals to transport stolen crude oil near the Owaza coastline in Rivers State. The boat, capable of carrying over 200,000 litres of siphoned crude oil, was a critical asset for criminal networks involved in the illegal trade of the nation’s oil reserves.
The destruction of the boat is a major setback for oil thieves who have long exploited Nigeria’s vast crude resources, causing substantial revenue losses for the government. Authorities stated that the swift action by the CG SIS reflects the government’s heightened vigilance and ongoing efforts to protect the country’s essential infrastructure and natural resources from illicit activities.