Crackdown on Illegal Mining and Vandalism in FCT
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, has made considerable progress in addressing the issue of illegal mining and vandalism in the region. According to Mr. Olusola Odumosu, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, a total of 82 suspected vandals and 22 illegal miners have been apprehended from August until now.
The offences for which the suspects were arrested vary, including theft of manhole covers, vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure, theft of electrical cables, and television theft. Additionally, 28 individuals were arrested for railway vandalism and destruction of other critical national assets.
Under the leadership of Mr. Odumosu, the command has taken action against three Private Guard Companies for various offences, such as operating without a license and failure to renew their license. Looking ahead to the coming year, the command is committed to intensifying its efforts to combat vandals, illegal Private Guard Company operators, and miscreants in the FCT.
In a related development, the Minister of Solid Mineral, Dele Alake, attributed the illegal mining activities to ‘Powerful Nigerians’ during a recent budget defense session before the House Committee on Solid Minerals. To address these issues, the Federal Government has implemented inter-ministerial measures to tackle illegal mining and protect the nation’s natural resources.
The efforts of the NSCDC in apprehending suspects involved in illegal mining and vandalism are crucial in safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure. As the Commandant highlighted, the commitment to curbing these criminal activities remains a top priority for the command.
With the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the support of relevant government bodies, the fight against illegal mining and vandalism in the FCT will continue to be a top priority. The decisive actions taken by the NSCDC serve as a deterrent to those who seek to engage in these unlawful activities.
As the government takes steps to address the underlying causes of illegal mining, the ongoing enforcement efforts are crucial in maintaining the integrity of the FCT’s infrastructure and natural resources. Through continued vigilance and coordinated action, the NSCDC remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the nation’s assets from acts of vandalism and illegal exploitation.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
