The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 11 suspected illegal miners with three trucks of solid minerals at Sare, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara.

This was confirmed to reporters by the spokesman of Kwara Command of NSCDC, Ayeni Olasunkanmi, on Wednesday in Ilorin.

Mr Olasunkanmi revealed that the suspects were arrested on October 17, at about 2:00 a.m., based on intelligence information received by the Intelligence Department of the command.

He also said that the suspects include three drivers and eight others.

He explained that the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel was collaborating with the corps to curb the activities of illegal miners in the country.

The spokesman noted that the activities of illegal miners in the country was posing a threat to the economy of the country through sabotage.

He said the illegal miners were also cheating the nation by refusing to pay their dues as expected of them to the government.

“Considering security and experience gathered, if the illegal miners are allowed, it will lead to a big problem for the state and the nation at large,” he said.

Mr Olasunkanmi however said that investigation was ongoing to arrest the sponsors of the suspects as well as other persons involved in the illegal act for prosecution.

One of the suspects later told journalists on condition of anonymity that they were arrested at Sare junction with three trucks of lithium stone, used for making house tiles.

“We picked the stones inside the bush and took them to Lade, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara, to sell to people going to Shagamu.

“We are 11 arrested, three out of us are truck drivers, while the remaining eight are motor boys that stay at the back of the truck with the stones,” he said. 

(NAN)