The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ (NSCDC) Ebonyi State Command has detained four individuals for engaging in illicit mining and gas plant construction.
In the state, the suspects were captured at a mining site in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, and Ameka, Ezza South Local Government Area.
In addition to storming a gas plant at 135 Ezzamgbo, which was housed inside residential buildings and other structures including churches and shops, the command also attacked the mining pit, arrested the culprits, and sealed the area.
The NSCDC’s State Commandant, Francis Nnadi, who oversaw the operation, said reporters at the scene of the arrests that the suspects’ actions were endangering the environment and constituted a major risk to lives.
He voiced concerns about the construction of a gas plant in such a dangerous site and mining operations taking place in residential areas.
Nnadi pledged to prosecute the accused and issued a warning that the command would not stand for any actions that put lives in jeopardy.
Additionally, he pointed out that before starting their mining and gas-related enterprises, the suspects had not acquired the necessary licenses from the appropriate authorities.
“This is almost 2.8 tons of gas located in a residential area. These are residential buildings, and you can even see people cooking nearby.
“You can see children playing around, and there’s even a church beside this gas plant. We need to make the general public aware of the hazardous nature of this business. There are no requisite documents permitting this kind of operation in such an environment.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn the people of Ebonyi against such practices. Remember what happened in Los Angeles with the wildfire. This is even more hazardous and could engulf the entire community. The suspect is in our custody and will appear in court,” Nnadi said.
Oge Dandy, one of the suspects, stated that he was not aware that the gas facility was located in a residential neighbourhood. He claims to live in Plateau State and that he paid someone to start the plant on his behalf.
When he got home last Christmas, he said, he was shocked to find the plant’s placement.
Oge acknowledged he did not secure approval for the gas plant before it was constructed.
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