Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has arrested 41 suspects and impounded 12 trucks over alleged involvement in illegal mining and being in possession of different types of solid minerals without appropriate licences.
The suspects, according to EFCC, were arrested in different locations in Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Okolowo in Kwara State, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state last Monday.
EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence over activities of illegal miners transporting truckloads of assorted solid 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.
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.
Oyewale recalled that the Illorin command of EFCC had in July 2023 secured the conviction of a Chinese national, Gang Deng and final forfeiture of two trucks with its mineral contents to the Federal Government, while it arrested 13 Chinese comprising a female and 12 males for offences bordering on illegal gold mining.
According to him, the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
