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By Raymond Ozoji, Awka
ACTDA officials during the enforcement at the three arms zone where illegal sand miners are excavating sand.
The Anambra State Government has declared one Onyebuchi Nwosu wanted over illegal sand excavation on government land.
Onyebuchi Nwosu, alleged to be the arrowhead at the new three arms zone where he and his partners in crime have been illegally excavating sand for far too long, is currently on the run as authorities of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) clamped down on them during an enforcement exercise recently.
Ossy Onuko, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), said the state government and security agencies are on the trail of Onyebuchi Nwosu and the likes of him as no form of environmental degradations would be tolerated any longer on account of activities of illegal sand excavators.
He said they were at the three arms zone, the proposed site for the new governor’s lodge, government house and legislative quarters. According to him, the site is government land but unfortunately, the youths of Nkwelle village in the capital territory have gruesomely embarked on illegal sand mining thereby causing more havoc on the property.
Onuko noted that they have been on enforcements twice in the area and that from investigations the illegal act has continued unabated even from past administrations in the state.
Onuko reiterated that the pioneer of the illegality in the area Mr. Onyebuchi Nwosu has been declared wanted and that anybody with useful information on how he can be arrested by law enforcement agents, should not hesitate to make such information available.
He also warned prospective perpetrators of illegal sand excavation to desist from trespassing on the land government has acquired for overriding public interest or anywhere in the state; that they would face the full wrath of the law, if apprehended.
He said, “They would be made to pay the painful price of not taking due diligence of the impact of what they are doing to the environment.
“This activity going on here, if it is allowed to continue, in the near future, it would cut off the Ring road connecting nearby communities to the capital city.
“So we have done two things here. We have sealed here permanently. Any vehicle that comes in here forthwith would be impounded by the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority.
“Secondly, we are declaring Mr. Onyebuchi Nwosu wanted and also putting a stop to all illegal sand mining and excavation anywhere in Anambra state. We have also declared total war on them.”
