From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi State Command, has arrested four persons for illegal mining and operating a gas plant.
The suspects were arrested at a mining pit in Ameka, Ezza South Local Government Area, and in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, both in the state.
The command raided the mining pit, arrested the suspects, sealed the site, and stormed a gas plant in Ezzamgbo that was built within residential buildings and other structures, including churches and shops.
Francis Nnadi, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, who led the operation, told journalists at the scene that the suspects’ activities posed environmental hazards and were life-threatening.
He questioned why mining should occur in residential areas and why a gas plant was established where people lived.
Nnadi warned that the command would not tolerate any activity endangering lives and vowed that the suspects would be prosecuted.
He noted that the suspects had not obtained licences from the relevant agencies before engaging in mining and gas operations.
“This is almost 2.8 tons of gas located where people are living. These are residential buildings, and you can even see that they cook around here.
“You can see children playing around. There is also a church beside this gas plant. We need to let the general public know about the hazardous nature of this business. There are no requisite documents to permit this kind of business in such an environment.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn Ebonyi people against such practices. Remember what happened in Los Angeles with the wildfire. This is more hazardous than that wildfire. This could engulf the whole community. The suspect is with us and will appear in court,” Nnadi said.
The suspect, Oge Dandy, said he did not know the gas plant was situated in a residential area. According to him, he is based in Plateau State and gave someone money to establish the plant for him.
He expressed surprise at discovering the plant’s location when he returned home last Christmas.
Oge admitted that he did not obtain approval for the gas plant before it was established.