Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC have arrested four Chinese at an illegal mining site where lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Spokesman of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
“Following the commissioning of some specially trained NSCDC personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals, the team has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal miners sabotaging the economy of the nation.
“The Mining Marshalls with a renewed vigour swung into action following credible intelligence and uncovered an illegal mining site where lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“During the sting operation, the squad arrested four Chinese nationals who through preliminary investigation admitted that they were running an illegal site used for selling lithium,” the statement said.
The Mining Marshall Commander, ACC. Attah John Onoja, said the minerals in question were seized in line with the provisions of Section 146 (b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
He added that the arrest of the Chinese followed their refusal to honour invitation for questioning.
Onoja added that an application would be lodged in court for forfeiture of the impounded lithium minerals while the proceeds would be remitted to the Federal Government.
According to him, preliminary investigations have unearthed where the minerals were being disposed of without the required license.
He said, “The arrested suspects have confessed to the crime, admitting that they held no certificate or license to deal in the solid minerals.
“The suspects are running a business venture identified as HOSAN AGRO-ALLIED COMPANY LTD which was registered to deal in agricultural-related activities.”
The Federal Government had vowed to stamp out illegal mining activities across the country and end the menace of mineral theft plaguing the solid minerals sector of the nation’s economy.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi has charged the Mining Marshals to work assiduously to rid the country of illegal miners.
