The Managing Director of the OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, said the arrests were part of a targeted crackdown on illegal kaolin excavation, which he described as a major contributor to environmental degradation across the state.
Anere said the suspects were apprehended during an enforcement operation in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, and Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area.
He stated that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with existing laws, stressing that the action is intended to serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar illegal activities across the state.
According to him, the operation was carried out at identified excavation sites where indiscriminate removal of soil had been ongoing.
He added that the affected sites were immediately sealed to stop further environmental damage and to prevent the expansion of erosion-prone areas.
According to Anere, the OCHA Brigade has identified illegal excavation as one of the key drivers of erosion in Anambra State, noting that such activities weaken soil structure, destroy farmlands, and expose surrounding communities to flooding and severe gully erosion.
He further stated that beyond the immediate environmental impact, illegal mining poses long-term risks to public infrastructure, livelihoods, and overall environmental sustainability if allowed to continue unchecked.
He further disclosed that the agency has intensified and strengthened its enforcement strategies against practices that threaten public safety and violate environmental protection laws.
Anere reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to protecting government lands and property, enforcing environmental regulations, and supporting state policies geared toward sustainable development.
He said that sustained and consistent enforcement remains crucial to mitigating erosion and safeguarding communities throughout Anambra State.
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