TheCable

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested eight persons transporting “illegally obtained solid mineral products” from Kaduna to Lagos.

Lucy Fakoya, NSCDC commandant in Kaduna, who spoke at a press briefing on Monday, said the suspects were apprehended on April 19.

Fakoya said the suspects were arrested with a truck filled with 37 tones of a solid mineral product along Tudun Wada in Kafanchan under Jema’a LGA of Kaduna.

The NSCDC commandant said one of the solid mineral products known as MICA is used by cosmetics industries and is worth about N9,250,000.

She identified four of the suspects as Sunday Ibrahim, Dominic Joseph, Princewill Elias and Abdullahi Adama, who were the first to be arrested with the truck.

“While other four suspects were also arrested on the same date and route conveying different types of solid minerals in sacks loaded in a pick-up van, suspected to be illegally procured,’’ she said.

She named the remaining suspects as Benjamin Sunday, God’s-gift Monday, Silas Gayus and Emmanuel Wakili.

The commandant said the investigation showed that the mineral products were obtained illegally by the suspects.

“All exhibits to be presented have been brought to our command headquarters for further diligent investigation and prosecution,” she added.