Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) have arrested 18 suspects for offences bordering on illegal mining activities.
The anti-graft agency also recovered thirteen (13) truckloads laden with assorted solid minerals suspected to be lithium, marble stone, white powder, lepidolite from the suspects.
The suspects include Saidu Madugu, Adamu Amadu, Lawal Ibrahim, Mohammed Mustapha, Abdulkarim Hassaini, Isiaka Abubakar, Shafiu Salisu, Abdullahi Isa, Bashiru Mohammed, Anas Saidu, Asa Bature, Abudu Sani, Jabir Salisu, Bello Muhammed, Habilu Idris, Fatai Abdullai, Isyiaka Hamidu and Oseni Lukman.
A statement by EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale 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 on the activities of some suspects conveying illegally mined solid minerals along Eiyenkorin – Ballah route in Asa local government of Kwara State without lawful authority.
The arrests and interception of the trucks were executed in collaboration with the patrol team of the Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command along Eiyenkorin and Ballah area in Asa local government area of Kwara State.
The Ilorin zonal directorate of EFCC had on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 arrested 11 suspects and impounded eight trucks over similar offences.
Oyewale added that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations.
