The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo state command, on Wednesday in Ibadan, said it has apprehended five persons for alleged illegal mining in the state.

The NSCDC commandant in the state, Augustine Padonu, announced this while parading the suspects.

He said the command’s personnel successfully intercepted the suspects with two trucks loaded with solid minerals suspected to be lithium powder weighing about 60 tonnes.

Mr Padonu said investigations revealed that the products were loaded from Ilenla in Kishi town, Oyo state and were destined for sale at Ogere in Ogun.

The commandant said the suspects had been operating from illegal mining sites and without operation licence, royalties, purchase and process licence and haulage receipt.

“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,” he said.

The NSCDC official said the suspects would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations.

He said NSCDC in Oyo state remained steadfast in its commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements.

“We urge the good people of Oyo State to continue providing NSCDC and other security agencies with information that will aid our efforts in maintaining law and order,” Mr Padonu said.

He assured that the command would continue to work tirelessly to protect the nation’s solid mineral resources and ensure all mining activities were conducted within the confines of the law.

(NAN)