NSCDC arrest three suspected illegal miners in Kwara 

Three suspected illegal miners transporting solid minerals believed to be lithium ore without valid documents have been apprehended by the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The state commandant of NSCDC, Abbas Nda Mohammed, while briefing newsmen on Tuesday gave the names of the suspects as Musa Abdullahi, 45, Aliyu Ibrahim, 20, and Ishaq Ibrahim, 51, all from Keffi in Nasarawa State, saying that they were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Mines and Steel Unit attached to the Command’s Special Patrol Team.

He said, “The operation formed part of the corps’ renewed crackdown on illegal mining and economic sabotage in the state.”

Abbas explained that the suspects were arrested on the Jebba Expressway in the Okolowo area of Ilorin at about 10 p.m. on Friday.

His men, he said, intercepted a truck bearing registration number DKA 990 XJ, Kaduna State, conveying about 36 tonnes of substances suspected to be lithium ore.

Preliminary investigations, according to the state commander of NSCDC, showed that the suspects failed to provide valid mining licences, waybills or any legal documents authorising the possession and transportation of the mineral resources.

He said that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the actual source and ownership of the minerals, identify other persons connected to the transaction and determine the mining company involved, assuring that the suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon conclusion of the investigation.

Abbas expressed the corps’ determination to safeguarding critical national assets, pointing out that the command will intensify operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities across the state.