Operatives from the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 18 suspects over 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 arrest followed credible intelligence about the activities of some suspects conveying illegally mined solid minerals along Eiyenkorin – Ballah route in the Asa Local Government of Kwara State, without lawful authority.
It said, “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 of Kwara State.
“The Ilorin Zonal Directorate had 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 statement added.
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