The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced the apprehension of 34 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities in the Rumuokarali/Rumualogu community within Rivers State’s Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

A man identified as ‘Daniel Mathew’ was taken into custody for allegedly luring a 15-year-old girl to a hotel in the vicinity of Port Harcourt and making an attempted sexual advance on her.

According to Basil Igwebueze, the Commandant of the NSCDC in Rivers State, these arrests were made possible through a combination of credible intelligence and the dedicated efforts of the NSCDC’s Sold Minerals Unit, the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel, and the Ministerial Task Force on illegal mining.

Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the operation, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

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Commandant Igwebueze detailed that the 34 suspects were apprehended in the midst of unlawfully dredging sharp sands, an activity that contributes to environmental degradation in the area.

Three dredging machines were seized at the site of the illegal mining operation. During the operation, a Chinese individual, notorious for involvement in illegal mining activities, was also spotted at the scene but managed to escape through a nearby hotel’s rear exit in Choba, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area.

While pursuing the fleeing Chinese suspect, NSCDC personnel heard the cries of a young girl who revealed that her 15-year-old sister had been lured into one of the hotel rooms.

A thorough search enabled the rescue of the teenager from the clutches of Mr. Daniel Mathew, who is now in custody and undergoing interrogation.

Commandant Igwebueze assured that comprehensive investigations would be conducted to ascertain the extent of each suspect’s involvement, after which they would be brought before the courts for legal proceedings.

He encouraged members of the public to promptly report any criminal activities or suspicious behavior in their communities to the NSCDC and other relevant security agencies, promising that all information provided would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

The slogan “If you see something, please say something” was emphasized as part of the NSCDC’s commitment to maintaining security and order in the region.