Officials from the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended seven individuals for engaging in illegal mining operations. The arrests, conducted after thorough surveillance and based on credible intelligence, took place on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.
According to the EFCC statement, the suspects, identified as Waliyu Abidoye, Abubakar Auwal, Abdulrauf Hakim, Sabiu Usman, Salihu Godwin, Dauda Mohammed, and Olalekan Aremu, were found in possession of five truckloads of assorted minerals, including lepidolite, lithium, and precious stones.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects lacked the essential licenses and permits for mining activities and failed to pay the requisite royalties to both federal and state governments, as mandated by law.
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In a related development, two additional individuals, Faleti Waheed and Noah Olalekan, were apprehended for attempting to bribe EFCC operatives with a hefty sum of N1.2 million to secure the release of one of the confiscated trucks. The EFCC operatives, however, cleverly orchestrated the arrest of the bribery suspects at the moment of delivery.
Upon their apprehension, N995,500 was seized from Waheed, purportedly a gas station manager, while Olalekan, self-identified as a scavenger, was found in possession of N201,000.
The EFCC has announced its intention to pursue legal action against all suspects involved, pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
Earlier reports by PUNCH on May 18 highlighted similar illegal mining activities, with the arrest of five individuals at the Izom Bridge in Niger State, indicating a growing concern over the environmental and infrastructural impact of such operations.
