Nigeria’s para-military in southern Imo state on Sunday announced the arrest of at least 29 persons for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities in various locations of the state.

The suspects were arrested following a directive by governor of the state Hope Uzodimma to crack down on illegal mining operators in the state, according to Danjuma Elisha, head of the Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.

Elisha said the security agency would conduct the profiling on the suspects before charging them to court.

According to state para-military head, illegal mining is impacting negatively on the lives of people in Imo, noting that it is one of the causes of landslide and heavy flooding.

The state government had recently announced a ban on illegal mining and directed security agencies to crack down on suspects.