EFCC, NSCDC nab 13 illegal miners in Kwara

…recover 5 trucks loaded with solid minerals
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Kwara
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in collaboration with the Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development have arrested 13 suspected illegal miners operating in Kakafu village in Pategi Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 during a joint operation which followed a credible intelligence received by the EFCC over some suspected illegal miners operating in the area.
The suspects are Buba Mohammed, Yusuf Umar, Surajo Shehu, Abubakar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Quadri Sulaiman and Nwafor Chinonso.
Others are Abdullahi Isa, Mustapha Mohammed, Buhari Hassan, Basiru Jafaru, Murtala Jafaru and Jafaru Abdullahi.
Five trucks fully loaded with different brands of solid minerals were recovered from the suspects.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were not paying royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.
The suspects will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.