The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Command has arrested 41 suspects and impounded 12 trucks allegedly containing different types of solid minerals without licence.

The offence is punishable with life imprisonment under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.

The EFCC zonal commander, Michael Nzekwe, said the latest arrest, which followed credible intelligence over the activities of the illegal miners featured suspects transporting truckloads of assorted minerals outside Kwara State without due licence.

He said they were arrested at different locations in Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Oko- Olowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo State.

The suspects are Nura Lawan, Tunde Jimoh, Sani Umar, Oyeleke Sunkanmi, Adegboyega Oluwashola, Mohammed Umar, Muhammed Abubakar, Dawud Muideen, Chukwu Okpara Idam, Ganiyu Roqeeb, Umina Umina, Nura Ibrahim, Isiyaku Jibril and Samaila Ibrahim.

Others are Idris Isah, Abdullahi Adamu, Yusuf Auwal, Aminu Usman, Muhammed Musa, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Sani, Ishola Mayowa Qudus, Zakariyau Yusuf, Abubakar Dauda, Mohammed A Mohammed, Soliu Mohammed, Sunday Adewale and Adeyemi Michael.

The rest are Idris Mohammed, Auwal Adam, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Lawal, Damilare Samuel, Idris Oyeniran, Peter Gaya, Sulaiman Kabiru, Abdulwasiu Jimoh, Azeez Taofik, Isyaka Olalekan, Taofik Bello and Sadiq Murtala.

Details of the registration number of the 12 trucks impounded by the anti-graft agency are: FG 179 6B, KWM 398 XA, TRE 419 YJ, ABC 795 XD, KWS 351 XC, ZUR 370 XJ, YL 667 XA, T3815 LA, AAA998XA, SHD 625XA and KWM 416 XA.

“Preliminary investigations showed that the minerals suspected to be marble stone, white powder, lithium and lepidolite, among others, are being transported outside the country for production of goods at the expense of the Nigerian economy.

“The suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations,” Nzekwe added.