The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant in Oyo State, Augustine Padonu has announced the arrest of five persons for alleged illegal mining.
Padonu stated this in a press briefing on Wednesday where the suspects were paraded in Ibadan.
NSCDC operatives intercepted the suspects with two trucks loaded with solid minerals suspected to be lithium powder weighing about 60 tonnes.
Investigations showed that the products were loaded from Ilenla in Kishi town, Oyo State, and were intended for sale at Ogere in Ogun State.
It was further discovered that the suspects had been profiteering from illegal mining sites without operating licence, royalties, and other important documents.
He said: “On Friday, at about 2100 hours, our vigilant monitoring team intercepted two DAF trucks with registration numbers BDJ 64 XE and ARP 201 XB at the Ibadan Toll Gate of Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“The trucks were loaded with solid minerals suspected to be lithium powder weighing about 60 tonnes.
The Commandant said the suspects would be arraigned in court after investigations.
