We Bailed Our Members With Over N300,000 From OCHA Brigade — Sand Miners, Tipper Drivers Allege

By Tony Okafor, Awka

River Niger sand miners and tipper drivers in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday protested alleged harassment, extortion and multiple taxation by officials of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade and some local government authorities.
The protesters, numbering about 150, marched to the Onitsha Area Office of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), claiming that more than 20 tippers, loaders and excavators were recently seized by OCHA Brigade operatives and released only after payments running into over N300,000.
According to them, the incident occurred about a week ago, when OCHA Brigade officials allegedly stormed their operational sites, arrested workers and confiscated equipment without clearly stating the offence committed.
“We paid between N300,000 and above before our vehicles and machines were freed. We have pleaded with them to tell us what they actually want, but they refused,” a protester alleged.
The sand miners and tipper drivers also complained of daily extortion and multiple taxation by officials from Ogbaru, Oyi, Onitsha North and Onitsha South local government areas, despite possessing licences and clearances issued by relevant federal government agencies.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is enough: we can’t tolerate over-taxation again,” “OCHA Brigade allow us to thrive in our business,” and “We are legal sand miners,” the protesters insisted that sand mining on River Niger falls exclusively under federal jurisdiction.
Addressing journalists, the President General of the Riverine Sand Miners Association of Nigeria, Sir Chris Mbaegbu, displayed licences and operational documents issued by federal regulatory bodies, including NIWA.
“We pay all our dues to federal government agencies and were duly licensed to operate. We are even helping in dredging the River Niger. Yet, state and local government officials keep extorting us daily,” Mbaegbu said.
Also speaking, a sand miner, Chief Uche Okafor, appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene, saying he believed the governor would not deliberately allow lawful businesses to be subjected to hardship.
“OCHA Brigade members scare away our customers. They arrest anyone in sight, seize machines and demand money before release. Sometimes, they damage our equipment. Each time they come, I spend huge sums repairing machines after paying fines,” he alleged.
The State Chairman of the Tipper Drivers Association, Chief Augustine Akigwe, described the situation as worrisome, noting that drivers were frequently arrested and taxed despite paying approved levies.
“We pay between N1,500 and above on each trip. I have written to the governor, OCHA Brigade and the Managing Director of Anambra State Solid Mineral Development Company, but we keep being referred from one office to another,” Akigwe said.
In his response, the Area Manager of NIWA, Onitsha Office, Sir Victor Nwokeocha, condemned the alleged actions of state and local government officials, describing them as reckless and irresponsible.
“Why intimidate people we issued licences and clearances to operate? NIWA has exclusive rights to regulate inland waterways. I have written to relevant authorities, including the Attorney General and the State House of Assembly, without response. The governor should call his officers to order,” Nwokeocha stated.

However, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OCHA Brigade, Mr Celestine Anere, dismissed the allegations of harassment and extortion insisting that sand miners and tipper drivers operating within Anambra State must register with the state government and pay applicable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).