EFCC Arrests 46 Persons, 15 Trucks Over Illegal Mining, Transportation in Kwara
By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office
has arrested a total number of 46 persons, 15 trucks engaging in illegal mining and similar offences as well as transporting same to places for sales in the last one month.
The latest this week was the arrest of five persons; Dauda Suleiman, Quadri Oladimeji, Abubakar Alhassan, Anas Sanusi, and Auwal Garba who were both truck drivers except Quadri Oladimeji and Auwal Garba, who were truck boys
They were caught while in possession of assorted minerals solid mined without license license loaded and being conveyed in three trucks right in the heart of Ilorin, Kwara State capital and Ogbomosho, Oyo State between March 21 – 22, 2024.
A statement by the EFCC Zonal Spokesman, Ayodele Babatunde said following “credible intelligence and days of surveillance, the suspects were arrested while conveying solid minerals suspected to be marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite to Shagamu and Alakija in Ogun and Lagos States for commercial purposes without license.
“Details of the trucks recovered from the suspects who claimed to be hired showed that Dauda, Abubakar, and Anas were each carrying a truck with registration numbers JJJ 206 YG, Lagos; T24413 LA, Lagos and KNT 635 XP, Niger, respectively”.
He said earlier on February 5, 2024, 41 persons were arrested over suspected illegal mining activities and impounded 12 truckloads of assorted minerals mined without license and the latest arrest brought to 46, the number of persons arrested, and 15 vehicles ceased in the last one month over similar offences.
Ayodele said the suspects would in due time be arraigned in court when investigations in their cases are concluded.
