Agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, have detained eighteen individuals for crimes related to illicit mining activities.

In addition, 13 truckloads of various solid minerals—among them, lithium, marble stone, white powder, and lepidolite—were seized from the suspects once they were apprehended.

Saidu Madugu, Adamu Amadu, Bashiru Mohammed, Isiaka Abubakar, Mohammed Mustapha, Abdulkarim Hassaini, and Abdullahi Yanda Isa are the suspects.

Bello Muhammad, Asa Bature, Anas Saidu, Abudu Sani, Jabir Salisu, Habilu Idris, Fatai Abdullai, Isyiaka Hamidu, and Oseni Lukman are among the others.

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According to a statement released by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, all of the suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, with the exception of Fatai, Isyiaka, and Oseni, who were taken into custody on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

The arrest was made in response to reliable information on the activities of a few suspects transporting unlawfully mined solid minerals without authorization along the Eiyenkorin-Ballah road in the Asa Local Government of Kwara State.

In cooperation with the patrol team of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Kwara Area Command along Eiyenkorin and Ballah in Asa Local Government of Kwara State, the suspects were apprehended and the trucks were intercepted.

On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the Ilorin Zonal Directorate seized eight trucks and arrested eleven suspects for similar acts.

The statement also stated, “The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.”