Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in Kwara State have intercepted a truck conveying 36 tonnes of suspected lithium ore and arrested three suspected illegal miners in what authorities described as a major crackdown on illegal mining activities in the state.
The interception was carried out during an intelligence-led operation along the Jebba Expressway in the Okolowo area of Ilorin, according to the Kwara State Command of the NSCDC.
Speaking during a media briefing on Tuesday in Ilorin, Kwara State Commandant Abbas Nda-Mohammed said the operation took place around 10pm on Friday, May 22, 2026, when operatives attached to the Mines and Steel Unit of the Special Patrol Team intercepted a truck with registration number DKA 990 XJ from Kaduna State.
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The truck was reportedly transporting about 36 tonnes of substances suspected to be lithium ore.
Nda-Mohammed identified the suspects as Musa, Aliyu and Ishaq, all said to be natives of Keffi in Nasarawa State.
“This briefing is to officially inform the public of a significant operational breakthrough recorded by the Command in its sustained fight against illegal mining activities, economic sabotage, and the unlawful exploitation of the nation’s solid mineral resources,” the commandant said.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects could not provide valid mining licences, waybills or legal authorisation for the possession and transportation of the mineral resources.
Lithium, a critical mineral used globally in the production of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and renewable energy storage systems, has become increasingly valuable in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. The growing international demand for the mineral has also intensified concerns over illegal mining and mineral smuggling across several parts of the country.
Authorities have in recent months stepped up enforcement efforts amid warnings that illegal mining operations are depriving the country of significant revenue while also fuelling insecurity and environmental degradation.
Nda-Mohammed said investigations were ongoing to determine the actual source of the suspected lithium ore, identify the mining company involved and trace other individuals connected to the transaction.
He added that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the completion of investigations.
“The suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon conclusion of investigation,” he stated.
The NSCDC has increasingly expanded its operations against illegal miners through its Mines and Steel Development Unit, especially in states believed to possess commercially viable deposits of lithium, gold and other solid minerals.
Kwara has emerged as one of the states under closer surveillance following reports of rising illegal mining activities around parts of the state and neighbouring regions.
Security analysts say the illicit trade in solid minerals has become a growing national concern due to the involvement of unlicensed operators and cross-border syndicates exploiting weak monitoring systems in mining communities.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to protecting national assets, the commandant said the corps would intensify operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities across the state.
The latest seizure comes as the Federal Government continues to push reforms aimed at sanitising the mining sector, improving transparency and attracting legitimate investors into Nigeria’s solid minerals industry.
