Operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested eight trucks transporting suspected illegal solid minerals in Benue State.
According to a statement from the EFCC, the arrests were made on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State following an intelligence-led operation. The intercepted minerals, suspected to be fluorite and iron stones, were allegedly mined from illegal sites in Logo Local Government Area.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the minerals were being transported without the necessary permits and documentation required for the mining and transportation of solid minerals in Nigeria. This raises concerns about the growing issue of illegal mining and its impact on the country’s economy and natural resources.
The EFCC stated that the operation is part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and protect Nigeria’s natural resources from exploitation. The agency emphasized that illegal mining not only deprives the government of valuable revenue but also contributes to environmental degradation and undermines the regulated mining sector.
The suspects involved in the operation have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing interrogation. The EFCC confirmed that they would face prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation.
“The Commission remains committed to tackling illegal mining and other economic crimes to safeguard the nation’s resources and promote sustainable development,” the EFCC spokesperson said.
This latest crackdown underscores the EFCC’s resolve to enforce mining regulations and hold offenders accountable, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s resource management framework.
