Operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 18 suspects for illegal mining operations in Kwara State. The operatives also recovered 13 truckloads of assorted solid minerals, including lithium, marble stone, white powder, and lepidolite.
The suspects were identified as Saidu Madugu, Adamu Amadu, Lawal Ibrahim, Mohammed Mustapha, Abdulkarim Hassaini, Isiaka Abubakar, Shafiu Salisu, Abdullahi Yanda Isa, Bashiru Mohammed, Anas Saidu, Asa Bature, Abudu Sani, Jabir Salisu, Bello Muhammed, Habilu Idris, Fatai Abdullai, Isyiaka Hamidu, and Oseni Lukman.
A statement released by the agency on Thursday said the arrests followed credible intelligence about the activities of suspects conveying illegally mined solid minerals along the Eiyenkorin-Ballah route in the Asa Local Government of Kwara State, without lawful authority.
It said, āThe arrest of the suspects and interception of the trucks were executed in collaboration with the patrol team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Area Command, along the Eiyenkorin and Ballah area in Asa Local Government of Kwara State.
āThe Ilorin Zonal Directorate had on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, arrested eleven suspects and impounded eight trucks over similar offences.ā
The statement added that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations.