EFCC Busts Illegal Mining Cartel: Arrests 41 Suspects, Seizes Truckloads Of Lithium In Kwara Raid

EFCC Busts Illegal Mining Cartel: Arrests 41 Suspects, Seizes Truckloads Of Lithium In Kwara Raid

In a bold crackdown on illegal mining operations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Command, has made a significant breakthrough, apprehending 41 suspects and impounding 12 truckloads of various solid minerals in Kwara State….Read More Related Story Here Illness Interrupts Trial: EFCC Witness’s Health Woes Delay Yahaya Bello Cousin’s Case

Parading the suspects in Ilorin, the Zonal Commander, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, revealed that the arrests were made across different locations, including Patigi, Igbeti, and Ogbomoso areas near Kwara state. Most of the apprehended suspects, he disclosed, were truck drivers, with some implicating foreign nationals and Nigerian bigwigs behind the illicit mining activities.

Sending a stern warning, Nzekwe emphasized the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to combat corruption and dismantle illegal mining syndicates, stressing the severe repercussions of such activities on the economy and societal well-being.

Underlining the gravity of the offense, he cited the punitive measures outlined in Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

Among the suspects nabbed are individuals like Nura Lawan, Tunde Jimoh, Sani Umar, and a slew of others involved in the illicit trade. The trucks seized, identified by their registration numbers, were found loaded with suspected minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite, destined for international markets to the detriment of the Nigerian economy.

Concluding his remarks, Nzekwe affirmed that the EFCC would meticulously pursue the investigations and ensure that all culprits face the full wrath of the law. This latest operation follows previous successful actions against illegal mining, including the conviction of a Chinese national and the forfeiture of mineral-laden trucks to the Federal Government.

The EFCC’s relentless efforts underscore its commitment to safeguarding national resources and upholding the rule of law in the fight against economic crimes.