EFCC arrests 41 illegal miners, intercepts truck conveying stolen mineral resources

In line with the Federal Government’s renewed push to tackle illegal mining, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ilorin zonal command has arrested 41 illegal miners and intercepted a truck conveying stolen mineral resources.

At a briefing at the command in Ilorin, the Zonal commander, Michael Nzekwe addressed journalists noting that the EFCC made the arrest following credible intelligence over the activities of the illegal miners transporting truckloads of assorted minerals outside the state without due license.

He however revealed that unnamed foreign nationals were behind the illegal exercise.

This is similar to the ongoing investigations for the explosion that rocked Bodija, Ibadan which has identified foreigners as behind the illegal mining in the area.

According to Nzekwe, “Preliminary investigations showed that the minerals suspected to be marble stone, white powder, lithium and lepidolite among others, are being transported outside the country for production of goods at the expense of the Nigerian economy.”

He added that 12 fully loaded articulated vehicles conveying various natural minerals were impounded at different locations in Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Okolowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state.

Nzekwe said his command was invigorated with “renewed efforts to fish out local and foreign collaborators depriving the country of a huge sum of revenue and causing serious environmental hazards to the people through illegal mining activities.”

He harped that illegal mining is punishable with life imprisonment under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983, recalling that the commission had warned that it would be unrelenting in the fight against corruption.

Nzekwe also noted that,”Aside the law that frowns on illegal mining activities, the act is an economic sabotage capable of causing environmental devastation, socio-economic hardship, insecurity, banditry and a host of other vices.”

He said that the suspects now under investigation would be duly prosecuted according to the rule of law.

He gave details of the registration number of the twelve trucks impounded by the anti-graft agency as: FG 179 6B, KWM 398 XA, TRE 419 YJ, ABC 795 XD, KWS 351 XC, ZUR 370 XJ, YL 667 XA, T3815 LA, AAA998XA, SHD 625XA and KWM 416 XA.

Nzekwe who warned that the EFCC would get the illegal miners sooner or later however advised those interested in the mining business to duly register with state, and federal government in order to be able to pay the appropriate governments their due royalties .