Delta targets illegal sand mining to mitigate severe environmental impact

Ika, Delta – The Delta State Government has launched a robust crackdown on illegal sand mining in Owanta, Ika North East Local Government Area, addressing the severe environmental degradation threatening local ecosystems and homes.

Spearheaded by Commissioner for Environment Jamani Tommy Ejiro, the operation reflects Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to safeguarding the region’s natural resources under his MORE Agenda.

On Tuesday, a joint team of ministry officials and security operatives raided the site, arresting several suspects and impounding a payloader machine involved in the illicit extraction.

The action was prompted by alarming reports of soil erosion, habitat loss, and structural instability in Owanta, where unregulated sand mining has destabilized the landscape and endangered nearby residences.