Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 18 more suspects over illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
Thirteen trucks loaded 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 commission gave the names of the suspects as 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.
According to EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the arrest followed credible intelligence about the activities of some suspects conveying illegally mined solid minerals along the Eiyenkorin-Ballah route in Asa LGA of Kwara State.
“The arrest of the suspects and interception of the trucks were executed in collaboration with the patrol team of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kwara Area Command along Eiyenkorin and Ballah area in Asa Local Government of Kwara State,” he said.
Dele said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations.
Daily Trust Saturday reported that the zonal office had arrested 11 suspects and impounded eight trucks over similar offences.
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