Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have again arrested five persons for being in possession and conveyance of three truckloads of assorted solid minerals mined without licence.
The suspects are Dauda Suleiman, Quadri Oladimeji, Abubakar Alhassan, Anas Sanusi, and Auwal Garba.
The suspects are truck drivers except Quadri Oladimeji and Auwal Garba, who are truck boys.
The EFCC operatives arrested the suspects along Maraba Road, Ilorin Kwara State and Ogbomoso, Oyo State between March 21 and 22, 2024.
The suspects were arrested while conveying solid minerals suspected to be marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite to Shagamu and Alakija in Ogun and Lagos states respectively, for commercial purposes without licence.
Details of the trucks recovered from the suspects showed that Dauda, Abubakar, and Anas were each carrying a truck with registration numbers JJJ 206 YG, Lagos; T24413 LA, Lagos and KNT 635 XP, Niger, respectively.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC, had on February 5, 2024, arrested 41 persons over suspected illegal mining activities and impounded 12 truckloads of assorted minerals mined without licence.
The latest arrest brings to 46 the number of persons arrested, and 15 vehicles ceased in the last one month over similar offences.
The suspects, it was learnt, will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.
