The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Ilorin Zonal Command, Kwara State, has disclosed that it arrested at least 80 suspected illegal miners within the last 10 months.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this was disclosed by the Zonal Commander in Charge of the Zone, Mr Michael Nzekwe on Tuesday in Ilorin, when he received, on a courtesy visit, Mr Abdulquawiy Olododo, the Kwara Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development.
Nzekwe recounted how intelligence had revealed the operation of illegal mining sites across the state and the efforts of the EFCC to curb the menace.
He said this culminated in the arrest of no fewer than 80 suspected illegal miners with truckloads of assorted minerals within the last ten months.
”It is alarming the rate at which the resources of the state are being plundered by artisan/illegal miners. If the resources are channelled through the right sources and put into good use, they are enough to sustain the economy of the state and make it self-reliant”, he said.
He observed that Kwara was enormously endowed with mineral deposits and the resources available in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state were enough to turn it to a ‘small London’, if properly harnessed.
The Zonal Commander further said that the fight against corruption particularly illegal mining required the support of every individual for it to succeed.
He described the commissioner’s visit as timely and hailed the Governor of the State, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq for appointing young and vibrant people into his cabinet.
He said that the choice of the commissioner as the helmsman of the ministry would no doubt turn the sector around for good.
Olododo had earlier reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partner with the EFCC in addressing illegal mining of natural minerals in the state.
He disclosed that the state government was firmly in support of what the EFCC was doing particularly, in its efforts in checking unauthorised mining activities and other economic crimes in the state.
He said, ”The government is not unaware of the challenges you are facing in carrying out this arduous task.
”This administration is determined to compliment your efforts as it is focused on how to properly organise and harness the potentials in the mining sector to attract local and foreign investors.”
The commissioner added that he was aware of all the commitments made so far by the EFCC even before he assumed duty as the commissioner in charge of solid minerals development.
Calling on the zonal commander to intensify its efforts in sanitising the state of corruption, he advocated for more collaboration and synergy among agencies of government especially in the ongoing anti-corruption crusade by the commission.
