TheCable

The Ilorin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it arrested about 80 illegal miners within 10 months.

Michael Nzekwe, the zonal commander, spoke when he hosted Abdulquawiy Olododo, Kwara commissioner for solid minerals development.

Nzekwe narrated how intelligence had revealed the operation of illegal mining sites across the state and the efforts of the EFCC in checking the menace.

He said this led to the arrest of the illegal miners with truckloads of assorted minerals.

“It is alarming the rate at which the resources of the state are being plundered by artisan/illegal miners,” he said.

“If the resources are channeled through the right sources and put into good use, they are enough to sustain the economy of the state and make it self-reliant.”

He noted that Kwara is enormously endowed with mineral deposits, saying the resources available in the 16 LGAs of the state are enough to turn it to a “small London”, if properly harnessed.

He added that the fight against corruption, particularly illegal mining, requires the support of every individual for it to succeed.

On his part, Olododo reiterated the government’s readiness to collaborate with the EFCC in tackling illegal mining in the state.

He said the state government is firmly in support of what the EFCC is doing in checking unauthorised mining activities and other economic crimes in the state.

“The government is not unaware of the challenges you are facing in carrying out this arduous task,” Olododo said.

“This administration is determined to compliment your efforts as it is focused on how to properly organise and harness the potentials in the mining sector to attract local and foreign investors.”

The commissioner urged the zonal command not to relent in its efforts to sanitise the state.

He also called for more collaboration and synergy among government agencies in the ongoing anti-corruption crusade by the commission.