Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained 41 suspects and impounded 12 trucks allegedly containing different types of solid minerals without license.
According to the EFCC Zonal Commander, Michael Nzekwe in Ilorin, the offence is punishable with life imprisonment under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.
He said their arrest followed credible intelligence over the activities of the illegal miners. The suspects were seen transporting truckloads of assorted minerals outside the state without due license.
”They were arrested at different locations in Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Okolowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo State.
“The suspects are Nura Lawan, Tunde Jimoh, Sani Umar, Oyeleke Sunkanmi, Adegboyega Oluwashola, Mohammed Umar, Muhammed Abubakar
”Others are Dawud Muideen, Chukwu Okpara Idam, Ganiyu Roqeeb, Umina Umina, Nura Ibrahim, Isiyaku Jibril and Samaila Ibrahim,” he said.
He said they also include, Ishola Mayowa Qudus, Idris Isah, Aminu Usman, Muhammed Musa, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Sani, Abdullahi Adamu, Yusuf Auwal, and Zakariyau Yusuf.
‘Among them are Abubakar Dauda, Mohammed A Mohammed, Soliu Mohammed, Sunday Adewale and Adeyemi Michael.
“The rest are Idris Mohammed, Auwal Adam, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Lawal, Damilare Samuel, Idris Oyeniran, Peter Gaya, Sulaiman Kabiru.
”They also include Abdulwasiu Jimoh, Azeez Taofik, Isyaka Olalekan, Taofik Bello and Sadiq Murtala,” he said.
The registration number of the12 impounded trucks are: FG 179 6B; KWM 398 XA; TRE 419 YJ; ABC 795 XD; KWS 351 XC; ZUR 370 XJ; YL 667 XA; T3815 LA; AAA998XA; SHD 625XA and KWM 416 XA.
He said preliminary investigations indicate that the minerals suspected to be marble stone, white powder, lithium and lepidolite, among others, were being shipped outside the country for production of goods at the expense of the Nigerian economy.
Nzekwe said that the commission would remain dogged in the fight against corruption just as it was leaving no stone unturned in breaking the rings of the illegal mining operators across the country.
He said these activities are capable of causing economic sabotage capable of provoking insecurity, banditry, environmental devastation, socio-economic hardship among other social vices.
The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations,” he said.
“You may recall that the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Command had in 2022 secured the conviction of a Chinese national, Gang Deng and final forfeiture of two trucks with its mineral contents to the Federal Government.
”It also arrested 13 Chinese nationals, comprising of a female and 12 males on July 12, 2023 for offences bordering on illegal mining,” he said.