The South-West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, working in collaboration with the Department of State Services, DSS, in Kwara State, has intercepted seven trucks suspected to be involved in the illegal transportation of lithium ore.
The Zonal Mines Officer, Ganiyu Ajibade, disclosed the development in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, stating that the operation was launched following credible intelligence received on Friday, January 9.
Ajibade revealed that intelligence reports indicated that a convoy of 12 trucks had been mobilised to evacuate lithium ore from an active mining site in Saki, Oyo State.
He said the ministry immediately engaged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the DSS in Oyo State, while officers in Kwara and Ogun states were directed to activate their surveillance teams to track the movement of the trucks across state lines.
“The operation revealed that the convoy departed Saki at 11:30 p.m. on January 9, reached Igbeti early Saturday morning, and continued towards Ilorin, Kwara State, by 7:00 p.m.
“Seven trucks were apprehended between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. along the Okoolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway in Kwara State. One driver escaped, abandoning hias vehicle, while the others were taken into custody.
“Upon questioning, the drivers admitted they were hired by an individual to transport the lithium ore, and that their operations were accompanied by Mine Marshal personnel from Abuja. All accompanying documents issued at the mining site were recovered,” he said.
Ajibade noted that the interception was in line with the directive of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who has consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance against illegal mining activities.
He reiterated the ministry’s determination to safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources, warning that enforcement actions against illegal mining and mineral theft would be intensified nationwide.
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