By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Federal Government through the Southwest Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, has intercepted seven trucks illegally transporting items suspected to be lithium ore within the region.
Working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the trucks were arrested during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in the region.
Disclosing the development on Tuesday, the Zonal Mine Officer for the South-West, Ganiyu Ajibade, revealed that the crackdown followed credible intelligence received on Thursday, 8th January, indicating that a convoy of 12 trucks had been mobilized to remove lithium ore from an active mining site in Saki, Oyo State.
He said, in a swift response, he engaged security operatives including: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and DSS in Oyo State while also directed the Ministry’s Kwara State surveillance team to monitor and track the movement of the trucks.
Ajibade said duribg the operation, intelligence revealed that the convoy departed Saki at 11:30 PM on Thursday, January 8th, reached Igbeti early Friday morning, and continued towards Ilorin, Kwara state by 7:00PM, same day.
He disclosed that the seven trucks were apprehended between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM along the Okoolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway in Kwara State.
He said during the operation, one driver escaped, abandoning his vehicle, while the others were taken into custody.
He said “Upon questioning, the drivers admitted they were hired by an individual to transport the lithium ore.
“All accompanying documents issued at the mining site were recovered.”
Ajibade stressed that the operation reflects the directives of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who has maintained a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining.
He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and warned that enforcement against illegal mining and mineral theft will be intensified across the Southwest.
