Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have arrested five suspects with solid minerals identified as lithium loaded in two trucks in Abuja.
A press statement yesterday by the spokesman of NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, said that acting on the Commandant General’s marching order, the NSCDC marshals took the bull by the horns, thereby increasing their intelligence apparatus in the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure across the federation.
The spokesman stated that the Commander CG’s Mining Marshal is poised to identify various mining sites and ascertain the correct loading point of trucks and the status of buying centres being supplied.
“The need to wage war against the menace of illegal mining activities leading to economic sabotage in the nation has become very imperative as illegal mining in no doubt constitutes one of the greatest threats to the nation’s economy and security.
“We have arrested five suspects for conspiring to sabotage the nation’s economy, illegal mining activities and other miscellaneous offences.
“At the point of the arrest they were in the conveyance of solid minerals identified as lithium loaded in two trucks which were impounded along Airport Road and Kuje area of Abuja respectively,” he said.
He revealed that the names of the suspects arrested are: Okechukwu Udoka, Chimaucheya Nwakwo, Lukeman Mohammed, Rabiu Umar and Surajo Isah.
He said: “During our preliminary investigation, the suspects volunteered their statements and admitted to illegal possession and conveyance of lithium, adding that they have been in the business of transporting lithium to needed companies while beating various security checkpoints without verification of any certification or documents”.
He disclosed that the investigation has commenced into the matter after which the suspects would be made to have their time in the court of competent jurisdiction, noting that this would serve as a deterrence to other criminal-minded persons.
