According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), operatives of the commission carried out coordinated operations at different mining sites where the suspects were apprehended. The operation also led to the seizure of multiple heavy-duty trucks believed to have been deployed in transporting illegally mined solid minerals.
The commission said the suspects were arrested during a sting operation conducted by its Ilorin and Ibadan Zonal Directorates. The enforcement action forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities, which authorities say have led to significant economic losses and environmental degradation across Nigeria.
Illegal mining has become a growing concern in many parts of the country, particularly in states rich in solid mineral resources. Kwara and Oyo states are known for deposits of gold, granite, marble, and other valuable minerals. However, unauthorized extraction has deprived the government of legitimate revenue while exposing host communities to environmental hazards.
EFCC officials noted that the suspects were allegedly operating without valid licenses and were engaged in the unlawful excavation and transportation of mineral resources. During the operation, several trucks loaded with solid minerals were recovered. The commission stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the illegal network and identify other accomplices.
The anti-corruption agency emphasized that illegal mining is not just an economic crime but also a national security issue. Authorities have previously linked unregulated mining activities to banditry, arms proliferation, and the financing of criminal enterprises in some regions of the country.
Over the years, Nigeria has sought to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependence by strengthening the solid minerals sector. The federal government has repeatedly warned that illegal mining undermines these efforts. Regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, have intensified monitoring and enforcement measures to ensure compliance with mining laws and regulations.
Residents in affected communities have also raised concerns about the environmental impact of unregulated mining. Uncontrolled excavation often leads to land degradation, water pollution, deforestation, and destruction of farmlands. In some instances, abandoned mining pits pose serious safety risks, particularly to children and livestock.
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and regulatory authorities, to tackle illegal mining activities. The commission stressed that suspects arrested in connection with the operation would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The seizure of the trucks represents a significant disruption to the suspected illegal mining operations. Heavy-duty vehicles are critical to transporting extracted minerals from remote sites to buyers and processing centers. By impounding these trucks, the EFCC has effectively curtailed the immediate capacity of the suspects to continue their alleged activities.
Industry analysts have long argued that addressing illegal mining requires a multi-pronged approach. Beyond enforcement, experts recommend improved licensing transparency, stronger community engagement, and the creation of economic alternatives for youths in mining-prone areas. Many illegal mining operations are sustained by unemployment and poverty, which drive individuals to seek informal and often unlawful means of income.
The federal government has, in recent years, introduced initiatives aimed at formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining. These programs are designed to bring operators into the legal framework, enabling them to access training, financing, and proper regulatory oversight. However, enforcement agencies continue to confront well-organized illegal syndicates that exploit regulatory loopholes.
The EFCC’s latest action in Kwara and Oyo underscores the agency’s expanding role beyond traditional financial crimes. While widely known for prosecuting corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime cases, the commission has increasingly intervened in economic sabotage cases, including illegal mining, oil theft, and other forms of resource exploitation.
Security sources indicate that the suspects are currently in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information. Authorities are also examining documentation recovered from the mining sites and trucks to determine the ownership structure of the operation and whether any licensed entities are implicated.
Community leaders in parts of Kwara and Oyo have welcomed the crackdown, expressing hope that sustained enforcement will restore order and ensure that mining activities are conducted responsibly. They have also called on the government to strengthen environmental remediation efforts in areas already affected by illegal operations.
The EFCC reiterated that anyone found culpable in illegal mining activities would face the full weight of the law. The commission urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspicious mining activities within their communities, assuring whistleblowers of confidentiality and protection.
Observers note that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector holds immense potential for economic growth and job creation if properly regulated. Legal mining operations can generate revenue for federal and state governments, create employment opportunities, and support infrastructure development in host communities. However, these benefits are undermined when illegal operators exploit resources without accountability.
Environmental advocates have also stressed the importance of sustainable mining practices. They argue that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with education and capacity-building to ensure that mining activities do not compromise ecological balance or community health.
As investigations continue, the EFCC has pledged to intensify surveillance in mining corridors across the country. The commission stated that it remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation by unscrupulous individuals and organized criminal groups.
The latest arrests serve as a warning to those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of mineral resources. Authorities have made it clear that regulatory violations in the mining sector will not be tolerated, and that enforcement actions will be sustained to safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
This report is based on information released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested eight suspected illegal miners and impounded several trucks allegedly used in unlawful mining operations across Kwara and Oyo states. The anti-graft agency disclosed that the arrests followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance targeting illegal solid minerals exploitation in the two states.
According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), operatives of the commission carried out coordinated operations at different mining sites where the suspects were apprehended. The operation also led to the seizure of multiple heavy-duty trucks believed to have been deployed in transporting illegally mined solid minerals.
The commission said the suspects were arrested during a sting operation conducted by its Ilorin and Ibadan Zonal Directorates. The enforcement action forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities, which authorities say have led to significant economic losses and environmental degradation across Nigeria.
Illegal mining has become a growing concern in many parts of the country, particularly in states rich in solid mineral resources. Kwara and Oyo states are known for deposits of gold, granite, marble, and other valuable minerals. However, unauthorized extraction has deprived the government of legitimate revenue while exposing host communities to environmental hazards.
EFCC officials noted that the suspects were allegedly operating without valid licenses and were engaged in the unlawful excavation and transportation of mineral resources. During the operation, several trucks loaded with solid minerals were recovered. The commission stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the illegal network and identify other accomplices.
The anti-corruption agency emphasized that illegal mining is not just an economic crime but also a national security issue. Authorities have previously linked unregulated mining activities to banditry, arms proliferation, and the financing of criminal enterprises in some regions of the country.
Over the years, Nigeria has sought to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependence by strengthening the solid minerals sector. The federal government has repeatedly warned that illegal mining undermines these efforts. Regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, have intensified monitoring and enforcement measures to ensure compliance with mining laws and regulations.
Residents in affected communities have also raised concerns about the environmental impact of unregulated mining. Uncontrolled excavation often leads to land degradation, water pollution, deforestation, and destruction of farmlands. In some instances, abandoned mining pits pose serious safety risks, particularly to children and livestock.
The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and regulatory authorities, to tackle illegal mining activities. The commission stressed that suspects arrested in connection with the operation would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The seizure of the trucks represents a significant disruption to the suspected illegal mining operations. Heavy-duty vehicles are critical to transporting extracted minerals from remote sites to buyers and processing centers. By impounding these trucks, the EFCC has effectively curtailed the immediate capacity of the suspects to continue their alleged activities.
Industry analysts have long argued that addressing illegal mining requires a multi-pronged approach. Beyond enforcement, experts recommend improved licensing transparency, stronger community engagement, and the creation of economic alternatives for youths in mining-prone areas. Many illegal mining operations are sustained by unemployment and poverty, which drive individuals to seek informal and often unlawful means of income.
The federal government has, in recent years, introduced initiatives aimed at formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining. These programs are designed to bring operators into the legal framework, enabling them to access training, financing, and proper regulatory oversight. However, enforcement agencies continue to confront well-organized illegal syndicates that exploit regulatory loopholes.
The EFCC’s latest action in Kwara and Oyo underscores the agency’s expanding role beyond traditional financial crimes. While widely known for prosecuting corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime cases, the commission has increasingly intervened in economic sabotage cases, including illegal mining, oil theft, and other forms of resource exploitation.
Security sources indicate that the suspects are currently in custody and are assisting investigators with useful information. Authorities are also examining documentation recovered from the mining sites and trucks to determine the ownership structure of the operation and whether any licensed entities are implicated.
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Community leaders in parts of Kwara and Oyo have welcomed the crackdown, expressing hope that sustained enforcement will restore order and ensure that mining activities are conducted responsibly. They have also called on the government to strengthen environmental remediation efforts in areas already affected by illegal operations.
The EFCC reiterated that anyone found culpable in illegal mining activities would face the full weight of the law. The commission urged members of the public to provide credible information about suspicious mining activities within their communities, assuring whistleblowers of confidentiality and protection.
Observers note that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector holds immense potential for economic growth and job creation if properly regulated. Legal mining operations can generate revenue for federal and state governments, create employment opportunities, and support infrastructure development in host communities. However, these benefits are undermined when illegal operators exploit resources without accountability.
Environmental advocates have also stressed the importance of sustainable mining practices. They argue that enforcement must go hand-in-hand with education and capacity-building to ensure that mining activities do not compromise ecological balance or community health.
As investigations continue, the EFCC has pledged to intensify surveillance in mining corridors across the country. The commission stated that it remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation by unscrupulous individuals and organized criminal groups.
The latest arrests serve as a warning to those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of mineral resources. Authorities have made it clear that regulatory violations in the mining sector will not be tolerated, and that enforcement actions will be sustained to safeguard the nation’s economic interests.
This report is based on information released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).