Oluyemi Ogunseyin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of 18 suspects for offences bordering on illegal mining activities in Ilorin, Kwara State.
EFCC in a statement said the operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Commission also arrested 13 truckloads of assorted solid minerals suspected to be lithium.
Marble stone, white powder, lepidolite among others were also arrested and recovered from the suspects.
“The suspects are 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,” the commission said.
“All the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, except the trio of Fatai, Isyiaka and Oseni that were arrested on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
“The arrest followed credible intelligence about the activities of some suspects conveying illegally mined solid minerals along the Eiyenkorin – Ballah route in Asa Local Government of Kwara State, without lawful authority.”
EFCC stated that the 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 Eiyenkorin and Ballah area in Asa Local Government.
The Ilorin Zonal Directorate had earlier on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 arrested eleven suspects and impounded eight trucks over similar offences.
“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations”, the commission said.
