JUST IN: EFCC arrests 18 in Kwara for illegal mining

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested 18 suspects in Ilorin, Kwara State, for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities.

Ths was disclosed on X.com by the agency on Friday, stating that the operation was carried out in collaboration with a patrol team from the Nigeria Customs Service and the Kwara Area Command.

The statement partly read, the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Directorate carried out the arrests on Tuesday and Thursday while acting on intelligence reports about the transportation of illegally mined minerals along the Eiyenkorin-Ballah route in the Asa Local Government Area of the state.

“13 truckloads with assorted solid minerals suspected to be lithium, marble stone, white powder, and lepidolite, among others, were also arrested and recovered from the suspects.

“The suspects are 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.”