29th October, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested five person for illegal dredging in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, western Nigeria.
The suspects, who went to the site in a convoy of lorries were caught while carrying out their illegal activities.
Those arrested are two indigenes of Abeokuta and three foreigners.
The Ogun indigenes are: Akinwumi Taiwo, 35 from Idi-Aro Sodeke area of Abeokuta, and Kojo Musliu, 32, of Isale Alogi Obantoko area in Abeokuta.
The three foreigners, who are from Gboiko area of neighbouring Benin Republic are: John Nwapon, 20, Isano Alfred, 19, and Petu Eric, 18.
Some of the items recovered from the suspects include one Leyland tipper lorry with registration number Ogun XA 461 AKM, another lorry with registration number Lagos GGE 626 XH and tools.
According to a release on Thursday morning and signed by the Corps Public Relations Officer, PRO, Alhaji Kareem Olanrewaju, the suspect were arrested because their dredging activities is not in line with the relevant laws which gives approval regarding areas where such activities should take place.
Also, the Command disclosed that the suspects were dredging without recourse to safe mining laws.
The NSCDC spokesman further stressed that their dredging activities had affected roads and houses in the area and had made the whole environment prone to erosion, which according to him, could cause destruction of lives and damage to property.
“The suspects in spite of several appeals and warning by people of the community, still persist in their activities for selfish reasons. Hence, they cried out for help as it is endangering their properties should heavy rain fall.
“Destruction of government property in whatever form is against the law of the land.
“Civil Defence will not tolerate acts of vandalism in anyway. The Corps will continue to put up its best to safe guard critical assets and government infrastructure in all parts of the state,” Olanrewaju said.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Corps Commandant, Aboluwoye Akinwande, has fortified anti-vandalism sections of the Corps with more logistics to enable the operatives perform efficiently.
The case has since be referred for investigation.