Etim Ekpimah
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 41 suspects and impounded 12 trucks for their alleged involvement in illegal mining and having different types of solid minerals without appropriate licences
They were arrested on Monday, February 5, 2024, at different locations in Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Okolowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state. Their arrest followed credible intelligence over activities of illegal miners transporting truckloads of assorted minerals outside the state without requisite licences.
The suspects are Nura Lawan, Tunde Jimoh, Sani Umar, Oyeleke Sunkanmi, Adegboyega Oluwashola, Mohammed Umar, Muhammed Abubakar, Dawud Muideen, Chukwu Okpara Idam, Ganiyu Roqeeb, Umina Umina, Nura Ibrahim, Isiyaku Jibril and Samaila Ibrahim.
Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale said that others are Idris Isah, Abdullahi Adamu, Yusuf Auwal, Aminu Usman, Muhammed Musa, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Sani, Ishola Mayowa Qudus, Zakariyau Yusuf, Abubakar Dauda, Mohammed A Mohammed, Soliu Mohammed, Sunday Adewale and Adeyemi Michael.
The Command had on July 12, 2023, secured the conviction of a Chinese national, Gang Deng and the final forfeiture of two trucks with its mineral contents to the Federal Government, while it arrested 13 Chinese nationals comprising a female and 12 males for offences bordering on illegal mining.
The suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.