The Akwa Ibom Government has set up a task force to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment in the state, Mr Nsikak Ekong, said many illegal mining sites had been shut down.
Speaking in Uyo, Ekong revealed that some illegal miners operate at night and leave without notice, noting that the task force would particularly intensify the tracking of such operations.
“We have illegal miners all over the state, they are like thieves. As a ministry under the ARISE agenda, the Governor has set up a task force to go after these people. So far, we have been able to close down a lot of those activities in the state.
“Most of them sneak in the night, do the mining, degrade our environment and run away, so we have a task force in place that is dealing with them,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, had directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, tactical teams and intelligence formations across the State to increase surveillance and intelligence gathering of suspected illegal mining locations.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Police would identify unauthorised mining sites, profile persons and organisations connected with illegal mining activities with the aim to monitor movement of mining equipment and mineral resources, and investigate individuals in accordance with the provisions of the law.
In a statement, John stated that the Command was concerned that unregulated mining sites could become a cover for other criminal activities, including trafficking, unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and the concealment of criminal proceeds.
“The Police Command is therefore adopting a coordinated approach, working with relevant Federal and State Government agencies responsible for mining regulation, environmental protection and related matters to ensure that enforcement actions are properly targeted.
“The Commissioner of Police wishes to make it clear that the Command’s action is not targeted at legitimate businesses. Individuals and companies with valid licences and approvals who operate in accordance with applicable laws and regulations have nothing to fear.
“However, persons found engaging in mining activities without the appropriate authorisation, or those who aid, sponsor, finance, conceal or provide logistical support for unlawful mining operations, will be thoroughly investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the PRO stated.
She called on traditional rulers, village heads, community leaders, youth leaders, landowners and residents to verify the identities, licences and approvals of persons seeking to undertake mining activities within their areas and to promptly report suspicious operations to the Police or the relevant regulatory agencies.
She urged members of the public to report unusual excavation activities, movement of heavy-duty mining equipment, suspicious transportation of mineral resources and sudden establishment of mining camps in locations where such operations have not previously been known to exist.
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