The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has seized two tippers and arrested three men accused of mining sharp sand without authorisation at Obiaja River in Idemili South Local Government Area.
The operation took place at about 2:07pm on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Mmiri Obiaja, popularly known as “mmiri mgbo”, along the Nnobi-Ideani Junction, Uke Road.
The arrests were made by the command’s Mines and Steel Development Unit in collaboration with the Federal Mines Officer in Anambra. The operation was based on intelligence received by the security agency.
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The seizure of the two tippers, six shovels and one wheelbarrow gives the case a wider dimension, as the equipment was allegedly being used to excavate sand at the river.
The three suspects are Patrick Anpue, 45, of Umuagu Village, Nnobi; Chidubem Ugammadu, 44, of Urumkpu Village, Umuoji; and Chukwuma Igwe, 47, of Umuanocha Village, Awka-Etiti.
The suspects were arrested at the mining site during the raid, State Commandant Maku Olatunde said at a media briefing held late Wednesday at the command headquarters in Awka.
Arrest followed intelligence on river mining
Olatunde said the operation was carried out as part of the command’s work against unregulated mining and the exploitation of mineral resources by operators without licences.
He revealed, “On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 14:07 hours, the command’s Mines and Steel Development Unit, in collaboration with the Office of the Federal Mines Officer, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, acting on credible intelligence, raided ‘Mmiri Obiaja’ popularly known as ‘mmiri mgbo’ Obiaja Nnobi and arrested three suspects engaged in illegal mining of sharp sand at the river.
“The following suspects: one Patrick Anpue, male, aged 45, of Umuagu Village, Nnobi in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State; Chidubem Ugammadu, male, aged 44, of Urumkpu Village, Umuoji in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State; and Chukwuma Igwe, male, aged 47, of Umuanocha Village, Awka-Etiti in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State were arrested at the site.”
The commandant said the items recovered from the site included two tippers with registration numbers XA 653 GBZ and GDD 423 XB. Six shovels and one wheelbarrow were also recovered.
He said the suspects had confessed to mining at the location without authorisation or legal documents from the relevant authorities.
The confession, as presented by the command, forms part of the evidence being examined in the ongoing investigation. The NSCDC has not stated the outcome of the investigation because the process is still continuing.
Olatunde said the suspects would be charged in court after the investigation is completed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include two tippers with registration numbers XA 653 GBZ and GDD 423 XB, six shovels and one wheelbarrow used for excavation.
“The suspects have confessed to carrying out mining activities at the site without authorisation or legal documentation from relevant authorities. Investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation,” he added.
The operation also involved the Office of the Federal Mines Officer under the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. Its participation placed the enforcement action within the area of mineral extraction and compliance with mining requirements.
Olatunde said the command would continue to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, including solid minerals, as part of its mandate.
He warned individuals and groups involved in illegal sand mining or related activities to stop such operations or face the full force of the law.
The commandant also asked residents to remain vigilant and report suspected illegal sand mining activities to the NSCDC.
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